Newark Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention Involved in South Ward Arrest Incident

Newark

By: Richard L. Smith

An incident at the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention during the arrest of two suspects sparked a citywide police response in Newark’s South Ward.

According to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé, police responded to reports of shots fired at the intersection of Chadwick Avenue and West Bigelow Street at approximately 11:59 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25.

Director Frage said in a statement that police officers who responded arrested two adult men and seized a firearm.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

However, the role of the Honorable Mayor Ras Baraka’s Office of Violence Prevention in the incident has come under scrutiny after a confrontation with Newark police was revealed on social media.

Video footage shows a scuffle between police and a suspect, during which violence prevention officers were ordered to step back and not hinder the arrest.

A woman, allegedly from the mayor’s violence prevention office, was heard yelling at the police, claiming that the suspect was “from” her office.

“No, what are you doing… he’s working with us,” the woman shouted.

This raises questions about the role of this office in police scenes, especially because some Newark residents have expressed concern about the aggressive behavior of these officers, whom they refer to as “troopers.”

Shortly after the arrests were made, an argument continued between a male officer and the police officers on site.

The confrontation prompted an urgent call for additional police support. A video shows officers urging members of the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention not to interfere with the arrest.

The incident remains under investigation and highlights the tensions and operational challenges that arise when multiple city agencies work together on active police operations.