Newark Mayor Critiques State Police Tactics
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka expressed his disagreement with the methods used by the New Jersey State Police, following an order from Governor Mikie Sherrill to secure the area outside Delaney Hall. He described the police’s role as being akin to a “sword.”
This confrontation arose during a protest outside the Newark jail last Friday, where demonstrators disregarded state police instructions to move to a designated “First Amendment zone.” The protests have intensified recently, stimulated by claims from illegal migrant detainees about being denied medical care, sufficient food, and facing physical and psychological mistreatment.
Governor Sherrill defended her decision on Saturday, stating that deploying the New Jersey State Police Public Safety Task Force was crucial to safeguarding public order and preventing an escalation involving ICE.
“I fully support her decision to act; she’s the governor and the state’s leader. Our agencies will follow her direction, including the attorney general and other staff. An assertive decision was necessary,” Baraka, who is also a Democrat, stated on Tuesday.
Although he agreed with the governor’s need for action, Baraka criticized the state police’s approach upon arrival. “The police are like a sword; if you’re going to engage them, you have to be ready for some hurt. We need to rethink our tactics moving forward,” he said. He emphasized the necessity for collaboration among local government officials and the public safety director in future decisions.
Baraka pointed out that Newark has been involved in ongoing litigation against GEO Group, which operates Delaney Hall, citing issues of non-compliance with code ordinances that pose health and safety risks. He voiced concern over alarming reports of detainees experiencing miscarriages, inadequate medical attention, and psychological abuse, indicating a need for heightened measures and legal action against Delaney Hall.
Newark’s business administrator, Eric Pennington, communicated to GEO Group on Tuesday that he had requested access to the facility to ensure proper care for detainees. He noted they had yet to receive a response but anticipated one soon. If GEO Group does not allow access, the city plans to pursue further legal action to close the facility until it can be declared safe.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security recently asserted that all detainees receive three meals a day, clean water, appropriate clothing, bedding, showers, soap, and toiletries.
This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and the treatment of detainees, with both sides presenting nuanced arguments that merit continued discussion.
