Newark ordinance requires security officers at apartments
NEWARK, NJ March 20 2021— The Newark Housing Authority and its Board of Commissioners are stepping up efforts to protect and ensure the safety of residents.
The housing authority officially unveiled two mid-size mobile command centers this week to implement more than 1,000 cameras throughout public housing buildings and grounds to provide more eyes on the community.
A recent ordinance is also in place that requires apartment owners to hire security officers at public and private housing sites in Newark with 100 units or more to be provided by owners/developers, and must be present on the premises for eight hours per day. The ordinance also requires unarmed security guards for the remaining 16 hours per day, during each day of the year.
Although the city rule does not require guards for properties with less than 100 units, McIver explained that residents who pay rent should still feel safe.
As the security command units begin to roll out into the community, Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver said that the idea was sparked by residents who would frequently call in with matters concerning incidents such as break-ins or suspicious activity at properties with little to no security on site.
The housing authority currently oversees 24 public housing properties, multiple mix-income sites, and a rental assistance program with a total client population of 16,000-plus families and more than 40,000 total residents.
