Woodbridge Launches 'Safe Place' Sites For Bias Crime Victims

Woodbridge NJ

10 January, 2022

1:29 PM

Description

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Last week, Woodbridge became one of the first towns in the state to launch a "Safe Place" program for victims of discrimination, bias and hate crimes. This is a first-of-its-kind program conceived and launched by the Woodbridge Police Department. Woodbridge residents will soon start seeing specially designed rainbow police badges at the entrances of teen and youth centers in town, at schools and also at churches and other houses of worship. For example, Woodbridge residents and teens will start seeing the rainbow badges up at the Acacia Youth Center on Port Reading Avenue and elsewhere in town. These visible police badges are supposed to show vulnerable Woodbridge teens and others that they are in a safe place to report LGBTQ+ crime, should it occur. If a victim of a bias incident enters the Safe Place, an ally will be able to provide a list of resources compiled by the Woodbridge Police Department. Learn more here: Woodbridge Police Dept. Safe Place "Vulnerable populations, most notably the LGBTQ+ community, have increasingly become targets of hatred and bias incidents," said Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac. "WPD Safe Place is geared to enhance the relationship between the Woodbridge Police Department, the LGBTQ+ community, victims of bias incidents, local businesses, schools and allies." "I applaud the Woodbridge Police Department for implementing the Safe Place Program, and demonstrating their commitment to preventing and reducing anti-LGBTQ+ crimes," said Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck. "Initiatives like this can potentially save lives, and send a clear message to New Jersey's most vulnerable residents that their safety matters." If you are a school or business in town and would like one of the Safe Place decals, they are available from the Woobridge Police Dept. free of charge. These decals are not meant to be displayed in private residences. If interested in participating in The WPD SAFE PLACE Program, please provide the name of your business, the address and your contact information by emailing [email protected] or call the non-emergency phone number, 732-634-7700, for the Woodbridge Police Dept. Community Affairs Unit. Resource List: Sexual Health: Nursing contact number: 732- 855-0600 ext. 5012 Nursing website: https://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/209/Nursing Middlesex County Center for Empowerment: 1-877-665-7273 Women Aware: 732-249-4504 Catholic Charities (for counseling/housing issues): 732-826-6278 Rutgers UBHC (for counseling/mental health): 1-800-969-5300 2ND Door: Statewide counseling and support service for Youth (not specific to LGBTQ), message board and text messaging support: 888 222 2228 Pride Center: 85 Raritan Avenue, Suite 100, Highland Park NJ, 08904-2430. 732-846-2232 Get great local news. Sign up for Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: [email protected]