Hoboken to move forward with new camera system, improved lighting in Church Square Park to bolster public safety

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla today announced the City of Hoboken is moving forward with a new, state-of-the-art camera security system in Church Square Park. The new cloud-based system will provide comprehensive coverage of the park which will be monitored by the Hoboken Police Department if approved by the Hoboken City Council on Dec. 4.

"I'm glad to share that my administration has finalized plans to move forward with a new camera system to help ensure the public's safety within Church Square Park," said Mayor Bhalla. "This is one of several key steps, including the expansion of the Hoboken Police Department's Table of Organization, we are implementing to keep our community safe. I urge the City Council to authorize this contract on Wednesday."

Of the $135,000 for the camera system, $100,000 was awarded to the City through a grant from Hudson County's Open Space Trust Fund.

"Thank you very much to Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and Commissioner Anthony Romano for supporting Hoboken's efforts to upgrade our camera system through this grant," said Mayor Bhalla.‍

If approved by the Hoboken City Council, installation of the new camera system in Church Square Park will begin before the end of the year. The City will also seek funding to install cameras in additional parks throughout the City in the coming months.

Additionally, Mayor Bhalla announced that the administration will seek council approval on contracts for temporary and permanent lighting improvements to Church Square Park during the Dec. 4 City Council meeting. The city seeks to install temporary, downlit flood lights at the gazebo, basketball courts, as well as certain entrances of Church Square Park through a partnership with PSE&G. The City is also seeking council approval on a contract for engineering designs to install permanent lighting upgrades and improvements to Church Square Park.

Last week, Mayor Bhalla also announced the City will seek to increase the Police Department Table of Organization (TO) from 146 to 156 officers. The administration will seek to further expand the TO in the new year, at the request of Police Chief Steve Aguiar and the Hoboken Police Department.