NEWARK, N.J., May 13, 2011 – In Newark’s Ironbound District, everyone agrees a clean and safe community is a top priority. Cooperative efforts between local business and commercial property owners, the Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) and the Newark Police Department are making important contributions to the quality of life for the people who live and work in the district as well as the Ironbound’s many visitors.

“The Ironbound is a hub of economic activity that draws people to the City of Newark and our goal is to make everyone feel welcome,” noted Seth A. Grossman, the IBID’s executive director. “That means paying attention to the details, like illegal or improper disposal of trash or streetscape safety issues that can lead to other problems and concerns.”


 
As part of their supplemental cleaning efforts in the Ironbound District, representatives of Commercial District Services (CDS), the IBID’s new streetscape cleaning contractor, are always on the lookout for potential problems. They have become extra “eyes and ears” on the streets of the Ironbound and work closely with the IBID and the Newark PD on behalf of the community.

“The Ironbound has been a popular dining destination for many years, and the many events at the nearby Prudential Center and Red Bull Arena have attracted even more visitors,” noted Chris Bernardo, a CDS principal who is supervising the Ironbound Clean Team. “We want every person who visits to be an advocate for the Ironbound by telling their families and friends that the dining, shopping and entertainment is first class and the district is clean and attractive.”

Detective Michael Silva of the Newark PD has been a longtime partner in community policing efforts with the IBID. By staying in close contact with Bernardo and the members of the IBID’s Clean Team, he can share information within the Newark PD and take action when needed. “Quality of life concerns like illegal dumping or broken street lights are just as important as crime prevention,” said Silva. “From Deputy Chief Kevin Schneider to everyone under his command in Newark’s Third Bureau, we take these issues very seriously.”

At Pegasus Sporting Goods on Ferry Street, owner Paul Silva and his staff praised the cooperative efforts as good for their business and for the Ironbound community. “We are glad that everyone is working together to make the district a great place to be,” Silva concluded.



Photo Caption: (left to right) Detective Michael Silva joined Jeniffer Begalli and Cristina Fonseca from Pegasus Sporting Goods and Chris Bernardo of Commercial District Services, the IBID’s streetscape cleaning contractor, on Ferry Street.