Cracking-jones, if that was about a year ago, your car was parked right in front of my home. I remember coming out the next morning while you were having it towed. I was out the night before walking my dog around midnight and noticed a vehicle sitting in front of the fire hydrant across from your car with 3 guys in it. They were just hanging out in the car. I thought it a bit suspicious. When I saw what happened to your car in the morning I called the police to describe the car thinking maybe there was a connection. I didn't get a plate number but thought maybe if this was a pattern, someone else may have also described the same car and at least they would get some cooberating information. Whichever officer I spoke to at the desk could not have been more disinterested. I understand that this may not be the biggest crime they are handling, but you would think they would encourage the public to report suspicious events!

This city lacks Community Policing. The department needs to show a presence and get out of their cars and get to know their community. I am aware that the downtown area may not suffer from the volume of violent crime that other areas in Jersey City does, but that is why the department is broken up into different zones covering specific blocks and all criminal activity should be treated as such!

I am sure there are many great officers in the department who do their job well, but a presence on the street would certainly have an impact on the safety of the community!

I have also noticed that when i get my mail, one corner on a random envelope will be torn. It happens about 1-2 times a week. I did think it odd, but just sort of ignored it, now I'm a bit concerned. I will have to start keeping a closer eye! Also, we will have days where no mail comes. I know it's possible that we just may not have mail that day, but again, it occurs about 7 times a month, and I just don't believe that we have no mail that many times in a month! I am in a brownstone with three apts and we are on the first floor. Since the day we moved in, everyones mail is always placed in our box. So, I went out and got the sticker letters and put our name and "apt. 1" on our mailbox, but often we still get everyones mail. I am not sure if it is laziness or what, but it seems to frequent to just be an honest mistake! I live on Van Vorst park, so I guess the problems are not limited to one neighborhood!

They have a sub-station in the mall. When you see them there at the start of a tour, it is roll call.

There are a lot of great cops and they should not be insulted because two of their coworkers abuse their power! I take offense to the comment that becoming a local cop means your stupid! As with every profession, there are great people and those that have an attitude problem. The way these two officers acted should not be considered a representation of the uniform, but rather of their character as people.

That is so horrible. You should absolutely personally walk into headquarters and ask to speak with Internal Affairs and tell them you want to file an official complaint. Even if you don't have badge numbers, you can just give as much details as possible. You never know if this may be a problem that they are already investigating, and your report might help them do their job. I know it may seem inconvenient to have to go through all this, but this is the only way our community is going to stop the abuse of power in this city. If you decide to go through with a complaint, please keep us posted on how you make out!

It is undoubtedly the safest area in downtown...or at least that is my experience. I used to live one block south of where you are looking, and currently live right on Van Vorst Park. Walking through the park at night, you have to be aware as it becomes a hang out at times, but you will have that anywhere. This is the only area I would live in in Jersey City. I am sure other parts are just as safe, but I would have no reason to look anywhere else as I have no complaints about the VVP area.

I just joined this list and noticed this thread immediately. I too have noticed the increased number of persons sleeping in the park. I completely understand that this is a sensitive issue and there is a fear of saying anything about it and coming across as heartless, but I do believe most people who are uncomfortable are actually concerned about the safety and welfare of themselves and others. I am one of those people. I walk my dog both early morning and late at night. I don't have any issue with someone who is sleeping, but it seems to have gone beyond that. Just last week I walked through late night and a gentlemen was masturbating on the playground equipment. Another night a gentlemen was visibily intoxicated, drinking, and walking around in circles yelling at himself and laughing hysterically. While these are technically isolated incidents, I have seen these same people over and over again. Obviously these may be the extremes in this situation, but there is no doubt they are cause for concern.

I am not sure why some people are becoming so defensive and making assumptions about others' concerns. The fact that the topic was raised on this site shows that most of us are looking for a reasonable and safe solution to potential problem.

Just my thoughts.....