County announces inaugural appointments to ECCF Civilian Task Force

County announces inaugural appointments to ECCF Civilian Task Force

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County officials have appointed the nine inaugural members to the newly formed Essex County Correctional Facility Civilian Task Force. The appointments were made during the freeholders’ June 10 meeting. “Even though we have been responding to the coronavirus for the past five months, the creation of the civilian task force […]

Freeholders demand release of detainees held solely due to immigration status

Freeholders demand release of detainees held solely due to immigration status

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On June 10, Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill and the Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a resolution demanding the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement promptly grant the release of all detainees currently incarcerated due solely to their immigration status. The Essex County Correctional Facility has housed […]

NAACP calls for widespread policing reforms

NAACP calls for widespread policing reforms

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Oranges and Maplewood Unit sent the following statement to the newspaper on June 9: “For a fortnight citizens throughout our country have by their public actions voiced their concerns about policing in communities of color. It is the sincere hope of the Oranges […]

Camp Happy Times to operate remotely this summer

Camp Happy Times to operate remotely this summer

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — This summer, Camp Happy Times, like the majority of camps around the country, will become a place that engages kids cerebrally and looks to online opportunities for growth and friendship building. The decision to move to a completely online camping experience was shaped by the new operating parameters of state and local […]

Essex County law enforcement members denounce killing of George Floyd

Essex County law enforcement members denounce killing of George Floyd

NEWARK, NJ — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka recently stood in solidarity with the Association of Chiefs of Police of Essex County and Essex County Sheriff’s Department to denounce the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department officer who killed George Floyd. Baraka’s father was beaten by police during the 1967 Newark Riots. At one point, every […]

DeVaul addresses George Floyd’s death

DeVaul addresses George Floyd’s death

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul released the following statement on June 3 in response to the death of George Floyd: “As chief of the Maplewood police, I would like to address the horrific murder of George Floyd at the hand of police officers in Minneapolis, Minn. Firstly, I would like to offer […]