Mayor's Message:
When Racism Hits Close To Home
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Dear Jazz,
Two years ago, our nation reverberated with cries of racism, injustice, and prejudice sparked by the murder of George Perry Floyd Jr. The unnecessary police brutality used on Floyd rocked our faith in law enforcement and ignited a movement for justice. Communities across the country marched in protest to voice their pain and demand recognition that “Black Lives Matter.” With the ultimate verdict to convict Floyd’s killer and the global attention drawn to that case, I wanted to believe that racist law enforcement officers had learned the importance of seeing an issue objectively and not responding to COLOR.
And yet here we are again! Several days ago, I came across a viral video of two police officers responding to a fight between two teenage boys at Bridgewater Commons Mall. The videos, taken by bystanders, showed two Bridgewater Township officers separating 14-year-old African American male, Kye, and an unidentified 15-year-old white male. While both boys were probably equally at fault, Kye was thrown to the ground as both officers knelt on his back to handcuff him. Meanwhile, the older 15-year old white male was peacefully sat on a nearby couch and left unrestrained.
Words cannot describe the wave of emotions I felt as I replayed the video multiple times, hoping I was mistaken about what I saw. How much strength could a mere eighth-grader, who probably just hit puberty, exert that would require two ADULT officers to place their weight on him to restrain him? What more significant threat did Kye pose that the white teenager did not? Regardless of what angle you looked at the situation, it was clear to me that both parties were EQUALLY at fault but more than anything, that the individuals involved were kids. As the grandfather of a black boy, who may one day find himself in a similar situation, it pains me to think of the nightmares Kye will experience due to this encounter, and it scares me even more, to realize that this happened so close to home.
Ironically, this blatant display of racial injustice occurred during black history month as we celebrate great leaders such as Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and others who fought for racial equality. I am ashamed that 57 years after Malcolm X’s death, black people in this country are still fighting for fundamental civil rights. We are supposed to be one nation. How can we raise our kids to recite the pledge of allegiance each morning and state “with liberty and justice for all” when that has proven not to be true for blacks in this country? We deserve better, our children deserve better, and this country should do better.
We must take a stand once and for all to stop racism. You don’t have to be a minority to recognize inequality, and it shouldn’t take significant acts of racism like the situation with Kye or George Floyd for you to speak up. As the great Martin Luther King once said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” We must not be afraid to speak up when we witness acts of racism. It is no longer enough to think each other equal; our actions must reflect it.
As Mayor, I have worked tirelessly to ensure Plainfield is a beacon of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We welcome all cultures and ethnic backgrounds with open arms. Our Queen City reflects beautiful faces of all shades and hues. Our school system echoes this diversity, and all our children, regardless of color, sit side by side each day and are treated equally and fairly. Many of our Plainfield Police officers are Queen City born and bred, like the newly appointed Director of Police, and they treat our residents equally because those are the values we embrace in our city. I will be bold enough to say that it is improbable that an incident such as the one that occurred in Bridgewater would ever happen here in Plainfield, and for that, I am grateful.
As we bring Black History Month to a close, we cannot allow ourselves to forget why it’s necessary. Regardless of what time of year it is, remember the fight of those who found a place in history by challenging an evil and unjust system of inequality. Today, we still take their sacrifice and teachings as inspiration and guidance through a world that continues to vilify black and brown people for the color of their skin. I call on our white brothers and sisters to join their voices to ours; let us not be silent in the face of injustice, let’s not be afraid to demand equality in every area of our lives, let’s not allow complacency to silence our voices. The right time to act is always now.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Cuando El Racismo Golpea Cerca De Casa | |
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Querido Plainfield,
Hace dos años, nuestra nación reverberó con gritos de racismo, injusticia y prejuicios provocado por el asesinato de George Perry Floyd Jr. La innecesaria brutalidad policial utilizada en Floyd sacudió nuestra fe en la aplicación de la ley y encendió un movimiento por la justicia. Comunidades en todo el país marcharon en protesta para expresar su dolor y exigir el reconocimiento de que "las vidas negras importan". Con el veredicto final para condenar al asesino de Floyd y la atención mundial atraída a ese caso, quería creer que los agentes de la ley racistas habían aprendido la importancia de ver un problema objetivamente y no responder a COLOR.
¡Y sin embargo, aquí estamos de nuevo! Hace varios días, me encontré con un video viral de dos oficiales respondiendo a una pelea entre dos adolescentes en Bridgewater Commons Mall. Los videos, tomados por transeúntes, mostraron a dos oficiales de la municipalidad de Bridgewater separando a Kye, un hombre afroamericano de 14 años, y un hombre blanco no identificado de 15 años. Si bien ambos niños eran igualmente culpables, Kye fue arrojado al suelo cuando ambos oficiales se arrodillaron sobre su espalda para esposarlo. Mientras tanto, el hombre blanco de 15 años fue sentado pacíficamente en un sofá cercano sin restricciones.
Palabras no pueden describir la ola de emociones que sentí mientras vea el video varias veces, con la esperanza que me haya equivoqué sobre lo que vi. ¿Cuánta fuerza podría ejercer un simple estudiante del octavo grado, que probablemente acaba de llegar a la pubertad, que requeriría que dos oficiales ADULTOS pusieran su peso sobre él para esposarlo? ¿Qué amenaza más significativa representaba Kye que el adolescente blanco no? Independientemente del ángulo que mires la situación, estaba claro para mí que ambas partes eran IGUALMENTE culpables, pero más que nada, que las personas involucradas eran niños. Como abuelo de un niño negro, que algún día puede encontrarse en una situación similar, me duele pensar en las pesadillas que Kye experimentará debido a este encuentro, y me asusta aún más, darme cuenta de que esto sucedió tan cerca de casa.
Irónicamente, esta flagrante muestra de injusticia racial ocurrió durante el mes de la historia negra mientras celebramos a grandes líderes como Malcolm X, el Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks y otros que lucharon por la igualdad racial. Me avergüenza que 57 años después de la muerte de Malcolm X, los negros en este país sigan luchando por derechos civiles fundamentales. Se supone que somos una nación. ¿Cómo podemos criar a nuestros hijos para que reciten el juramento de lealtad cada mañana y digan "con libertad y justicia para todos" cuando eso ha demostrado no ser cierto para los negros en este país? Nosotros merecemos algo mejor, nuestros hijos merecen algo mejor, y este país debería ser mejor.
Debemos tomar medidas de una vez para detener el racismo. No tienes que ser una minoría para reconocer la desigualdad, y no debería tomar actos significativos de racismo como la situación con Kye o George Floyd para que hables. Como dijo una vez el gran Martin Luther King: "La mayor tragedia no es la opresión y la crueldad de la gente mala, sino el silencio sobre eso por parte de la gente buena". No debemos tener miedo de hablar cuando somos testigos de actos de racismo. Ya no basta con pensarse iguales; nuestras acciones deben reflejarlo.
Como alcalde, he trabajado incansablemente para garantizar que Plainfield sea un faro de diversidad, igualdad e inclusión. Damos la bienvenida a todas las culturas y orígenes étnicos con los brazos abiertos. Nuestra Ciudad Reina refleja hermosos rostros de todos los tonos y tonalidades. Nuestro sistema escolar suena con esta diversidad, y todos nuestros niños, independientemente de su color, se sientan uno al lado del otro todos los días y son tratados de manera equitativa y justa. Muchos de nuestros oficiales de policía de Plainfield son nacidos y criados en nuestra Ciudad Reina, como el recién nombrado Director de Policía, y tratan a nuestros residentes por igual porque esos son los valores que abrazamos en nuestra ciudad. Seré lo suficientemente audaz como para decir que es improbable que un incidente como el que ocurrió en Bridgewater ocurra aquí en Plainfield, y por eso, estoy agradecido.
A medida que cerramos el Mes de la Historia Negra, no podemos permitirnos olvidar por qué es necesario. Independientemente de la época del año que sea, recuerde la lucha de aquellos que encontraron un lugar en la historia al desafiar un sistema de desigualdad malvado e injusto. Hoy en día, todavía tomamos su sacrificio y enseñanzas como inspiración y guía a través de un mundo que continúa vilipendiando a las personas negras y marrones por el color de su piel. Hago un llamado a nuestros hermanos y hermanas blancos para que unan sus voces a las nuestras; no nos quedemos callados ante la injusticia, no tengamos miedo de exigir igualdad en todos los ámbitos de nuestras vidas, no permitamos que la complacencia silencie nuestras voces. El momento adecuado para actuar es siempre ahora.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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NEW JERSEY POLICE RESPONSE TO MALL FIGHT UNDER INVESTIGATION | GMA | |
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH | |
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The City of Plainfield is currently replacing street signage throughout the entire city beginning with the fourth ward. These new signs will provide clearer directions for residents and continue to keep our community safe. Today, Councilwoman Terri Briggs-Jones joined the signal team as they replaced the sign at the corner of South Second Street and Manson Place.
We are working together to continue moving the Queen City forward!
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APPLICATION DEADLINE TO JOIN PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28 | |
PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW HIRING | | |
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The City of Plainfield is thrilled to announce that our Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. To apply, you must follow the New Jersey Civil Service Commission application for entry-level Law Enforcement Examination titles.
Applications and all requirements must be met and submitted by 4:00 pm
on February 28, 2022
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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AVAILABLE TUITION AND GRANT PROGRAMS | |
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KEAN TUITION PROMISE:
FULL RIDE TO COLLEGE | VIAJE COMPLETO A LA UNIVERSIDAD
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The Kean Tuition Promise
program provides funding for incoming freshmen students to attend Kean University.The Kean Tuition Promise program covers up to FULL TUITION AND FEES for eligible students to attend Kean University and fulfill their dream of earning a college degree.
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El programa Kean Tuition Promise proporciona fondos para que los estudiantes de primer año que ingresan asistan a la Universidad de Kean.El programa Kean Tuition Promise cubre la TOTALIDAD DE LA MATRÍCULA Y LAS TARIFASpara que los estudiantes elegibles asistan a la Universidad de Kean y cumplan su sueño de obtener un título universitario.
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HARD DEADLINES | PLAZOS DUROS
Priority Deadline | Plazo de prioridad: March | Marzo 1
Standard App. Deadline | Aplicación Fecha límite:
May| Mayo 1
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USE CODE "KEANPROMISE" to waive the $75 application fee.
UTILIZA EL CÓDIGO "KEANPROMISE" para eximirte de la tarifa de solicitud de $75.
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Plainfield Warming Centers | Centros de Calor de Plainfield | | | |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
How to Get Ready for the Big Bag Ban in
Four Easy Steps
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Union County, NJ – As the winter weather changes into spring this year, everyone in Union County and throughout New Jersey will also see a big change at their favorite stores. Beginning on Wednesday May 4, a new state law called the “Bag Ban” goes into effect. When it does, stores and restaurants in New Jersey will no longer hand out free, single-use plastic bags.
The new law also has an additional provision for large grocery stores. Starting on May 4, grocery stores will not hand out any free single-use bags, whether paper or plastic. Shoppers will need to bring their own reusable bags or purchase them at the store.
“Changing from single-use bags to reusable bags is a big step for many Union County residents, and we hope to make the transition as smooth as possible by helping to raise awareness about the new law,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We are all used to running out for groceries and getting bags from the store. Now we need to start a new habit, and bring our own bags when shopping.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Governor Murphy Announces Foreclosure Prevention Funding to Support New Jersey Communities and Residents
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TRENTON, NJ – Today, Governor Phil Murphy announced that $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) will be allocated to support New Jersey’s Foreclosure Prevention Act (P.L. 2021, c.34) program administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). NJHMFA will use these funds to stabilize communities through supportive homeowner interventions and vacancy rehabilitation and sale, stemming the loss of single-family homes to rental property investment firms.
“The Foreclosure Prevention Act was more than a decade in the making. My administration is proud to have signed this landmark legislation adding to our state’s capacity to address the concerns of current New Jersey homeowners and future homebuyers,” said New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy. “Today’s funding will permit this program to launch at scale and continue to grow.”
Following the 2008 financial crisis, New Jersey’s single-family residential market was decimated, with many properties purchased by investors for rental purposes, reducing the stock of affordable single-family homes. Nationwide, the financial impact of COVID-19 on homeowners may lead to a similar — if not greater — loss of single-family homes.
“Home ownership is the foundation for building intergenerational wealth and provides people long-term financial, mental and physical stability,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and NJHMFA board chair. “This legislation and ensuing program administered by NJHMFA will improve New Jersey communities by rehabilitating blighted or abandoned single-family properties while helping residents attain the dream of owning their own home.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
The Biden-Harris Plan to Revitalize American Manufacturing and Secure Critical
Supply Chains in 2022
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Release of Historic Industrial Base Reports by Seven Federal Agencies Caps Off a Year of Action Fortifying America’s Supply Chains
One year ago, President Biden signed Executive Order 14017 directing an all-of-government approach to assessing vulnerabilities in – and strengthening the resilience of – the United States’ critical supply chains. Within six months of taking office, the Administration completed a comprehensive review of the supply chains for four critical products, identified solutions to secure those supply chains against a wide range of risks and vulnerabilities, and established a first-of-its-kind Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force (SCDTF) to address the challenges arising from a pandemic-affected economic recovery.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department, and the department will work towards resolving the matter.
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PLAINFIELD IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Download The City of Plainfield Business Guide
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Plainfield is rich in its cultural diversity, with ten historic districts,19 historic sites, and over 120 ethnic eateries, and an abundance of delis, and grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping stores, residential homes, and buildings, and much more.
Click the "Business Guide" image to see the full list.
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Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.]
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
