Harrison Police Dept. Pizza With A Cop in SOHA Thurs. Aug. 22, 2024

In a continued effort to strengthen the relationship between local law enforcement and the community, the Harrison Police Department's Community Policing Unit is set to host the fourth installment of its popular Pizza With A Cop event on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Originally scheduled for Monday, August 19th, the event was rescheduled to avoid any conflict with the highly anticipated NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chelsea FC soccer game at the Red Bull Arena. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pocket Park, located between the Steelworks and The Cobalt buildings on South 5th Street, between Crucible Drive and Cape May Street. It is located in a residential community that was transformed from an industrial zone over 26 years.

This event, under the leadership of Harrison Police Chief David Strumolo, has become a cornerstone of the department's community engagement efforts. Now in its third year, Pizza With A Cop offers residents the opportunity to enjoy complimentary pizza and beverages while engaging in meaningful conversations with local police officers in a relaxed, informal setting.

The initiative is part of a broader Community Policing strategy, which seeks to foster collaboration between the police and the community in addressing local issues. As outlined by the United States Department of Justice, Community Policing is about empowering residents to become active partners in enhancing neighborhood safety and improving the quality of life.

History of Community Policing

The Harrison Police Department has a long history of community engagement, with the roots of its Community Policing efforts dating back to the 1990s and 2000s under the guidance of retired Deputy Chief Patrick Minutillo. During that period, Harrison police officers participated in numerous community activities, including Naturalization Drives which assisted residents in becoming U.S. citizens. These events, supported by local organizations like the Harrison Fest Committee and the Centro Romeu Cascaes Portuguese American Community Center, provided invaluable assistance to residents through fingerprinting and application completion services.

These initiatives have transformed interactions between police officers and residents, fostering a sense of trust and cooperation that continues to thrive today. The ongoing efforts of the Community Policing Unit, led by Chief Strumolo, are a testament to the department's commitment to progressive, community-focused law enforcement.

Harrison Police Junior Police Academy

In addition to Pizza With A Cop, the Harrison Police Department has recently conducted a Junior Police Academy in partnership with Hudson County and State of New Jersey law enforcement agencies. Held during the week of August 12, 2024, the academy provided thirty Harrison students, ranging from sixth to eighth graders, with an inside look at police work. The program included sessions with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department, and the New Jersey State Police, who made a memorable landing in a helicopter at Library Park. The students also enjoyed field trips to the City of Newark Police’s Mounted Police Unit and the World Trade Center Memorial Museum in New York City. Read the full article on the Harrison Junior Police Academy here.

The Harrison community continues to express its appreciation for the dedication of Chief Strumolo and the officers of the Harrison Police who although unnamed in this article know who they are and have contributed to these Community Policing events.  It makes a huge difference in the interaction between the community and the Harrison Police Department. Events like Pizza With A Cop not only offer residents the chance to meet the officers who serve their community but also highlight the positive outcomes that can be achieved through community-centric policing efforts.

Residents of Harrison are encouraged to attend the upcoming event, enjoy some pizza, and get to know the officers who work diligently to keep their community safe.

EPA Community Meeting

There is also an important Community Meeting at Harrison High School, located at 401 Kingsland Avenue, Harrison NJ on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is going to discuss its plans to remove contaminated sludge from the Passaic River including the Toxic Dioxin Laden Sludge Plant slated for the now de-contaminated PSE&G property across the street from the residential community which includes several modern luxury apartment buildings and the Pocket Park which is the venue of the Harrison Police Department’s Pizza With A Cop event.

Article of Interest:

HPD Junior Police Academy: Youth & Law Enforcement Building Bridges

Concealment, The Truth & Lies About EPA's Toxic Sludge Plant in Harrison NJ

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