Solutions Forum

Press Release By: Joel Rosa

PERTH AMBOY/TRENTON – On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, members of the Perth Amboy Auxiliary Police Force participated in a Solutions Forum on police/community relations at Thomas Edison State University in Trenton. Perth Amboy’s Deputy Chief of Auxiliary Police Roberto Rodriguez, served as a panelist along with Jennifer Davenport, First Assistant to the Attorney General, Jiles Ship, Commissioner of the NJ Police Training Commission, James Johnson, Special Counsel to Governor Phil Murphy, and Elie Honig, former Director, NJ Division of Criminal Justice.

Perth Amboy Auxiliary Police in Trenton *Photos Submitted

Among the decision-makers attending and participating were newly elected Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and City Council members, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Trenton Superintendent of Schools Fred McDowell, and Board of Education President Gene Bouie, along with members of the School Board.

The Solutions Forum on police/community relations was organized by Trenton Civic Trustees to discuss effective solutions that can help improve Trenton’s public safety, especially in light of recent shootings at the Arts All Night Festival this past June. The program began with Perth Amboy Deputy Chief of Auxiliary Police Roberto Rodriguez explaining how the Auxiliary Police Force serves as the eyes and ears of the community. They engage with Perth Amboy residents in the downtown area during festivals and events, and at local churches on Sunday. Deputy Chief Rodriguez also noted that Auxiliary Police Force members are well trained to work with the police department, and many of them are recruited to work as full time police officers.

Solutions Forum Panelist

The audience had many questions for Deputy Chief Rodriguez, including Mayor Gusciora who asked about the Auxiliary Police members’ integration with the Perth Amboy police officers’, and about their shift hours. Deputy Chief Rodriguez asked Auxiliary Police Sgt. Oscar Jimenez to respond. Officer Jimenez explained that Auxiliary Police were deployed throughout the city and shared information about how they operate and their work shifts. Also representing the Perth Amboy Auxiliary Police were Officers Matthew Guerrero and Jennifer Luckas.

Trenton Civic Trustee Algernon Ward expressed his opinion that Trenton would benefit greatly from having an Auxiliary Police Force and hoped that Mayor Gusciora and the Trenton Police Department would prioritize replicating the Perth Amboy model in Trenton. 

Trenton Civic Trustees and all who attended were very thankful to have members of the Perth Amboy Auxiliary Police at the Solutions Forum. Perth Amboy is made proud by a highly regarded and state recognized Auxiliary Police Force and is equally proud to have a Police Department that so effectively protects the safety and wellbeing of all Perth Amboy residents.

Solutions Forum Audience