After Park Shooting in Paterson, Officials Question Absence of Security Cameras

Paterson — Authorities have pledged to boost police visibility at municipal recreational sites following Tuesday’s incident. lethal gunfire incident at Eastside Park .

The crime, which happened on a warm spring evening while numerous children played in Eastside, also has raised questions about why Paterson has not yet installed the 51 security cameras for parks that the City Council voted to buy last October.

"How long will it take to install those cameras?" questioned Councilman Luis Velez.

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Councilman Alex Mendez concurred. "It's essential to install cameras at the park entries," he stated. "The presence of these cameras should make potential criminals reconsider their actions before entering the park."

Mayor Andre Sayegh mentioned that the installation of the cameras would occur gradually, beginning during the summer season. He stated that these cameras would "provide comfort to our community members knowing that they can ensure their kids have secure areas for recreation."

On Sunday evening around 5:55 p.m., a young woman aged 21 lost her life and an individual, age 24, sustained injuries when shots were fired near their parked car alongside the pathway linking the higher and lower sections of Eastside Park. By Wednesday afternoon, law enforcement officials had not yet reported making any arrests related to this incident.

Gunfire 'targeted specific people'

Mendez stated that according to information provided by officials, the investigators think the gunshots "were aimed at particular individuals" rather than being a random attack. He added that it appears to be an isolated incident.

The councilman stated that young people were engaged in a game of baseball at Larry Doby Field, directly underneath the area where the incident occurred, and numerous children could be found enjoying the recently inaugurated playground which was established towards the end of last year.

It was really frightening when I learned about the shooting since I'm aware of the number of kids usually present in the park during that hour," stated Mendez, representing the 3rd Ward where Eastside is located. "Fortunately, thankfully, no one else was struck.

More: In 2024, Paterson saw its lowest number of homicides in two decades, though other types of crime increased.

The Police Department released a statement on Wednesday indicating that detectives are "operating 24/7 to ensure those accountable face justice."

Parks stand out as some of Paterson's most valuable resources, and we won’t accept any acts of violence within these secure areas," stated the police release. "Community members can expect to notice more law enforcement officers in every municipal park as the PPD stays dedicated to ensuring public safety.

Sayegh mentioned that his administration prioritized enhancing Paterson’s parks, claiming they had been overlooked for many years. According to him, the city has invested over $100 million from federal, state, county sources, as well as private contributions, into recreational improvements.

Velez stated that the city must enhance park safety protocols as it aims to make recreational areas more appealing to everyone.

Crimes are occurring in locations where we believe them unlikely," Velez stated. "It’s essential to foster a behavioral culture that ensures safety. need more cops , so we need a thorough strategy before it spirals out of control."

The article initially appeared on NorthJersey.com. Following a deadly shooting at the Paterson park, authorities question the whereabouts of surveillance cameras.