Passaic, NJ – Mayor Hector C. Lora, Police Chief Luis Guzman, and Passaic’s Police Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 10, 2024 to mark the opening of Passaic’s second police substation on Passaic Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. The facility, which aims to increase police presence in the city’s east-side business district, is designed to improve community safety and strengthen connections between law enforcement and local residents.

The new substation follows the success of Passaic’s first police substation on Myrtle Avenue, opened six years ago, which police officials say reduced gang-related and property crime in that area. The Passaic Street substation will be under the direction of recently promoted Captain Patrick Burnett, who will oversee a team of patrol officers, members of the gang unit, and retired special officers supported through the Urban Enterprise Zone program.

According to The Future of Evidence-Based Policing (Cambridge University Press), targeted, proactive policing strategies, like those implemented in Passaic’s substations, can enhance crime prevention effectiveness by focusing police activities on high-crime areas and high-rate offenders, as seen in hot spots policing and focused deterrence. Additionally, diversifying policing approaches to include crime-specific solutions, such as problem- oriented policing, has shown strong impacts on community safety.

“Our goal with this substation is to deepen relationships with our community—our youth, business owners, and families—and to build trust and safety,” said Mayor Lora during the ceremony. “The aim is to have officers not only responding to calls but also engaging with residents and business owners to foster a safer environment.

This is proactive policing.”

Chief Guzman noted that the substation’s retired special officers bring valuable experience and familiarity with local issues. “These officers have long-standing connections to the community and an understanding of its specific needs,” he said, adding that these relationships are essential for effective community policing.

Local business owners have already shown their support for the increased police presence. Yaser Saeed, owner of La Morena Live Poultry across from the new substation, stated that he welcomes the added visibility. “Our streets are safer,” Saeed said, commending the city’s efforts to bolster safety in the district.

The new substation was made possible through a partnership with property owner Alex D. Perez, who donated the 575-square-foot storefront space to the city. Perez, a long-time Passaic developer, marked his belief in supporting initiatives that encourage safety and business success. “This is good for the community and good for my development,” Perez said. “Everyone wins.”

 The opening of the Passaic Street substation is part of Mayor Lora’s and Chief Guzman’s ongoing approach to neighborhood safety, promoting an evidence-based and proactive (as opposed to solely reactive) role for law enforcement within the community.

For more information about Passaic’s Police Department, visit Cityofpassaic.com.

Mayor Hector C. Lora and Chief Luis Guzman join Passaic Police officers and city officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Passaic Police Substation, marking an important step towards enhanced community safety.	The entrance of the newly inaugurated Passaic Police Substation, displaying the names of Mayor Hector C. Lora and Chief Luis Guzman.

Contact:         Renee Nunez – City of Passaic

Rnunez@cityofpassaicnj.gov 973-833-8605