202-18 Exhibit A - Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Application.pdf

Township of West Orange- Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant FY2018 Application Program Narrative A. Description of the Issues The Township of West Orange, New Jersey, is the fifth largest municipality in Essex County, with an area of 12.1 square miles, a population of approximately 47,000, and a daytime population that swells to about 100,000. Because of the Urban Rim District that exists along the border of West Orange and Orange, the Township considers itself a suburban/urban community that serves as the County’s transition area from a largely depressed urban environment to a middle-class suburban community. The Township has a racial/ethnic breakdown of approximately 47% White/Non- Hispanic, 25% Black/African-American, and 19% Hispanic/Latino. About 7.2% of the population is living at or below the poverty line. According to the 2017 Uniform Crime Report prepared by the NJ State Police, West Orange registered a 9.5% increase in crime compared to 2016. In March 2011, the Township of West Orange laid off a total of eight officers and demoted 16 others in an effort to plug a $3.4 million budget gap. Based on continued economic hardship, the WOPD’s strength of force has remained nearly the same since this time, and the consequences of these cuts have become apparent. In 2016 alone, the crime rate in West Orange rose nearly 18% (Uniform Crime Report). Violent crime saw an increase of 7%. While the WOPD had a total of 77 violent crimes in 2011, the year the cuts were made, in 2016 the WOPD reported a total of 106. This represents a 37% increase in violent crime in only five years. This increase runs counter to a general statewide decrease in violent crime. According to the Uniform Crime Report Urban-Suburban-Rural Crime 5-year Comparison 2011/2015 Summary Analysis, urban and suburban communities in New Jersey experienced the largest percentage decrease in violent crimes, a drop totaling 16%. The State as a whole saw a decrease in violent crimes from 2015 to 2016 totaling 4%, as well as a general decrease in all crime totaling nearly 4% (Uniform Crime Report). This represents a positive trend, as violent crime also decreased from 2014 to 2015 by 1%. Violent crime has decreased in several major cities in New Jersey, including Newark and Camden. Even some communities that saw bumps in violent crime only witnessed slight increases. While many

by 1%. Violent crime has decreased in several major cities in New Jersey, including Newark and Camden. Even some communities that saw bumps in violent crime only witnessed slight increases. While many neighboring urban towns have witnessed decreases in violent crime, West Orange’s numbers have gone up. This data points to the fact that the WOPD needs to take a proactive stance to improve efficiency and increase capacity for our officers to implement approaches to counteract a disproportionate increase in crime compared to neighboring communities. To do so, with this project the WOPD will send command-level officers to specific trainings for leadership programs for public safety personnel. With this advanced training, the overall operation of the WOPD will be more efficient and improve capacity and therefore safety for officers. As a result, this will maximize our force’s resources for the benefit of resident safety. Once funding is secured, the proposed training and education project will commence for the two-year period, as per grant program guidelines. Two officers will attend the selected courses per semester until all officers complete the courses. The WOPD has selected the Executive Leadership Program for Public Safety Personnel offered by Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. This course is designed for law enforcement/public safety managers with leadership and command responsibilities. The WOPD will also send three officers to the FBI-LEEDA trilogy of courses. This includes the Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute and Executive Leadership Institute. These courses are utilized 1