Kids All Star Academy

7/12/16

By: Katherine Massopust

Anti Littering Sign

PERTH AMBOY – On Tuesday, 7/12/16 Mayor Wilda Diaz held a press conference at the Waterfront to address Quality of Life issues in Perth Amboy. Children from the Kids All Star Academy were invited to listen to the press conference.

Diaz began her speech with a moment of silence for the recent tragedies that occurred in several communities across the nation. She emphasized the diversity of Perth Amboy and what the City is doing to be proactive about safety for its residents. The Amboy Guardian was provided with a press release.

Diaz emphasized that the Police Department has reached its highest capacity for the first time in 10 years. “Programs and partnerships like the Perth Amboy Police Chaplain Corps, the Auxiliary Program and the Community Policing Program we launched back in April, were developed to create closer relationships with our families. Our safety personnel consistently engage with the community, through community meetings, public events and they have committed to serving and protecting your children and families.”

She turned her focus to the City’s youth, “…The nutritional movement is national and many organizations have been reaching out to families to teach about healthy eating. Many local organizations have partnered with us to spread the resources in Perth Amboy, such as the Board of Education, numerous non-profit groups, faith-based agencies and public and private programs in surrounding communities like Woodbridge and Carteret.”

“…We want to address not just our quality of life, but we want to ensure a GREATER quality of life and we’re making these strides city-wide!!!”

Mayor Diaz speaks on Quality of Life issues

“The Business Improvement District is constantly developing ways to attract shoppers to our busy downtown area. We have our upcoming events: Sidewalk sales kicking-off on July 22^nd for those who enjoy a good buy, and the Jeep Show on July 23^rd followed by our Classic Car Show in September.”

“Small businesses are necessary in urban communities like ours. They are what make up the fabric of our local economy. The Business Improvement District invested a total of $125,000 in improvements, including over $40,000 in façade upgrades. We’re also improved our parking services downtown to continue shopping and dining locally…”

Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano spoke next, “It’s getting rough to come into work in the morning knowing you can be a target. Our community does support us. I am very proud of the City of Perth Amboy. Older Officers train the younger Officers. You can see our Beat Officers walking. There is two-way communication. Our Beach Patrol is out on Four-Wheel ATV’s keeping everyone safe. There is no swimming in the beaches. The reason is for safety. There are no lifeguards. We’re increasing the Quality of Life Patrols. There will be a period of educate, re-educate and then given a summons.”

Cattano then turned his attention to “Pokémon Go.” “Pokémon Go is an app on your phone or pad that gets kids out of the house and collect Pokémon’s. Young kids and teenagers get so absorbed on the Pokémon’s that they disregard their safety walking into traffic. Kids get absorbed in the game. They don’t focus on their surroundings. Be careful with these games.”

Deputy Chief Larry Cattano

Cattano then spoke about a new partnership with 7-11, “Tickets will be given to kids for good things, such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike and doing what’s right. The tickets entitle them to a free Slurpee at 7-11.”

“There are 17 new Officers on the street. This allows me to expand programs and increase juvenile and law enforcement in plain clothing and unmarked vehicles. National Night out is on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Waters Stadium at 6 p.m.”

Cattano then mentioned Cooling Centers, “The Cooling Centers are at the YMCA, the Olive Street Community Center and the Public Library.”

“Animal Control runs the shelter. If you want to volunteer and walk dogs or just help out contact the animal shelter.”

Next to speak was Recycling and Clean Communities Coordinator Geri Barcheski. “There are two new programs: Pet waste in any town is both blight and a health threat. It is a health threat to a dog and to people. The Pet Stations which will have dog waste bags for your dogs instituted along the Waterfront. Residents who walk pets must pick up after their pets. Fines will be imposed if you are caught not cleaning up after your dog.”

Barcheski continued, “A lesson learned as a child is a lesson learned for a lifetime. With hands on cleanings our town of Perth Amboy received the Urban Cleanup Award for 2016 for all of our Citywide Cleanups. Tools to reach and teach the community in a new Anti-Litter signage which is bilingual will help people stop and think about theier actions and  make positive choices by putting their car litter in waste bags. Our Ambassadors we have for the year now will also be on Amboy Avenue and Hall Avenue. We constantly communicate about litter cleaning and aide to the residents of the community.”

Fire Chief Abraham Pitre was next at the podium, “Always barbeque outside; when fueling propane tanks do it outside. Please use proper disposal of cigarettes. Fireworks pose a risk; they can explode and ignite. Anyone possessing fireworks, please give it to the Police Department. We are planning to build another firehouse to cut the response times in half. We now have the first female firefighter in Perth Amboy. We have a smoke detector program for those who qualify; please replace your  detector if necessary.”