Dear Editor:
In a surprising move, Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, has recently appointed individuals with no police or education in emergency preparedness or public safety training, to key positions in the city’s administration. The announcement of LaKeesha Eure as Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Kyleesha Wingfield-Hill as Director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR), and Jessiah Paul as Director of the Brick City Peace Collective (BCPC) has raised concerns about the city’s approach to managing public safety and addressing the rising homicide rates.
The decision to appoint individuals without a background in law enforcement or emergency management to such critical roles is alarming, especially at a time when Newark is grappling with a surge in homicides. It raises questions about the mayor’s judgment and his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the city’s residents.
One cannot underestimate the importance of having leaders with the requisite expertise and experience in public safety at the helm of a city’s administration. Law enforcement and emergency management are complex fields that require specific knowledge, skills, and training to effectively address the myriad challenges that arise in ensuring public safety. Entrusting individuals without this background with the enormous responsibility of overseeing public safety initiatives is a gamble that Newark, its residents, and its neighboring communities cannot afford to take.
The mayor’s claim that these appointees have demonstrated a commitment to the city’s vision for peace, justice, safety, and security is preposterously delusional, considering that she Ms. Wingfield-Hill had assault charges filed against her as early as July 18, 2023 inside City Hall Council Chambers. Merely relying on thuggish displays of loyalty to quell the concerns of citizens who engage with City Hall is inadequate for effectively managing the complex array of challenges that impact public safety. It is essential to have leaders who possess a deep understanding of law enforcement practices, emergency response protocols, and the complexities of violence prevention and trauma recovery.
Furthermore, the community seeks clarification on whether the funds allocated for crime prevention are being federally scrutinized, potentially serving as a catalyst for the sudden departure of Ms. Eure.
The potential perils of having a major city like Newark run by individuals without policing or emergency management experience are numerous. Effective public safety leadership requires an understanding of crime trends, the ability to implement evidence-based policing strategies, and the capacity to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Without this expertise, there is a risk of inadequate responses to public safety crises, mismanagement of resources, and ineffective coordination of violence prevention efforts.
It is essential to recognize the invaluable contributions of social workers and individuals from diverse professional backgrounds in addressing community needs, including violence prevention and trauma recovery. However, it is equally important to acknowledge that public safety leadership demands a specialized skill set that encompasses law enforcement, emergency management, and crime prevention strategies.
While Mayor Baraka’s commitment to promoting poetic, compassionate approaches to public safety is nice, we need a hard response to the crime and killings that are regularly taking place. It is crucial to ensure that the individuals entrusted with overseeing these initiatives possess the necessary expertise and qualifications. The safety and well-being of Newark’s residents depend on it.
In conclusion, Mayor Baraka’s decision to appoint individuals without police or emergency management/public safety training to key leadership positions raises serious concerns about the city’s ability to effectively address the rising homicide rates and ensure the safety of its residents. While compassion and vision are essential, they must be coupled with the expertise and experience required to navigate the complexities of public safety. It is imperative that the mayor reconsider these appointments and prioritize the selection of leaders with the necessary qualifications to tackle the formidable challenges of public safety in Newark. The stakes are too high to take this risk.
Sheila Montague
