A team of ten Newark Police Officers landed at Newark International Airport Satirday after completing their two week deployment in Puerto Rico.
The team which left New Jersey on Sunday, October 7, 2017 flew to Puerto Rico where they assisted federal, Puerto Rican Police, and other agencies in responding to the impact of Hurricane Maria on the island. The team supplemented the Puerto Rican Police efforts by providing escorts and assuming other law enforcement functions which overwhelmed the local public safety resources. In addition to officers, generators and other emergency equipment was sent to the island to assist in the relief efforts.
With extensive electrical and communications outages in Puerto Rico, more than 3.4 million Americans were lacking basic needs, conditions that may continue for months. This is a population larger than the states of Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Alaska. Puerto Rico is also running short on critical medical supplies. In addition, the island is lacking manpower to respond to the crisis.
The 9 Police Officers and one sergeant in two additional teams are expected to be deployed in three rotating teams to encompass a total of 42 days. While in Puerto Rico, they will continue to assist with security, traffic control, and escorting supply convoys. The Department of Public Safety will coordinate the deployment with the New Jersey State Police. Costs will not be borne by the City of Newark.
On October 7, the City of Newark supported the Hurricane Maria Relief effort by hosting a benefit concert and donation drive on Mount Prospect Avenue, in Newark’s North Ward. Necessary supplies were collected for donation at the event. The concert was free and open to the public.
On Sunday, October 8, a fundraiser was held in partnership with the American Red Cross to raise money directed to victims of Hurricane Maria/Puerto Rico. This fundraiser took place at the Flamboyan Manor on Verona Avenue also in the city’s North Ward.
In addition, the Newark Department of Public Safety established drop-offs for Hurricane Maria relief supplies at all Firehouses and Police Precincts citywide.
Police offcials said on October 18, Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Newark Municipal Council Members Luis Quintana, Anibal Ramos, Jr., Carlos Gonzalez, State Senator Teresa Ruiz, Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles, and the Hispanic Law Enforcement Society in partnership with United Airlines sent humanitarian relief by donating 20,000 pounds of needed supplies to assist the victims of Hurricane Maria.
The 20,000 pounds of supplies on the humanitarian flight include cases of water, canned food, diapers, feminine hygiene products, generators, and flashlights.
Some of the supplies will be shared with law enforcement officers who have been away from their own families while helping the thousands of Puerto Rican citizens in need.
Four law enforcement officers and one civilian from an area financial institution will be on the flight.