Mayor Emily B. Jabbour today announced the return of two popular Hoboken community engagement opportunities: Meet the Mayor Office Hours and Coffee with a Cop. The programs aim to create more opportunities for residents to ask questions, share concerns, and have direct conversations with local leaders in a welcoming and informal setting.
The Mayor’s first open office hours will be held on Monday, June 8, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington Street. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by emailing constituents@hobokennj.gov. Future office hours will occur at different times and locations to allow opportunities for residents of varying schedules to attend.
“Being accessible and listening to residents is one of the most important parts of public service,” said Mayor Jabbour. “Whether someone has a concern, new idea, or simply wants to talk about their neighborhood, I want residents to know that City Hall is open and we are listening. That starts at the top.”
The first Coffee with a Cop will be on Wednesday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Anthony David’s, 953 Bloomfield St. Coffee with a Cop is meant to promote casual conversations between residents and law enforcement, in a comfortable setting. Participants are encouraged to walk around, ask questions, share concerns, discuss various topics, and get to know officers and HPD leadership.
“Creating opportunities for residents and police officers to come together informally helps build the kind of trust and understanding that makes a community stronger,” said Mayor Jabbour. “Honest, face-to-face conversations that are outside of an emergency or official meeting will allow residents and officers to create important positive connections. I encourage residents to come out to Coffee with a Cop and enjoy an open conversation with the officers who serve our community every day.”
"Coffee with a Cop will take place in an informal setting, with no formal agenda or forced discussion topics,” said Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante. “Some of our most productive conversations happen at gatherings like this, and I look forward to hearing from residents in this more relaxed setting.”
“Community policing starts with listening and Coffee with a Cop gives us the opportunity to hear from the community away from emergency situations and more structured events,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “I look forward to conversing one-on-one with residents in an environment that helps them feel more comfortable sharing what’s on their minds.”
The City and Police Department plan to host Coffee with a Cop every few months at different coffee shops, restaurants, and businesses throughout Hoboken.
