SITE OVERVIEW ♦ PHILLIPSBURG | NEW JERSEY
Target Area: Parnassus Neighborhood • Population: 15,000
Fiscal Agent: Northwest New Jersey Community Action Partnership, Inc. (NORWESCAP)
Research Partner: Centenary College
Crime Concerns: Drug trafficking, violent crimes, and property crimes
BCJI Funding Year: 2014 Planning | 2016 Implementation
Neighborhood Profile
The Parnassus neighborhood is a predominantly white (83%) neighborhood with a nearly 8 percent black population and a 10 percent Hispanic population. The Parnassus area has had a history of economic strength, but over the past few decades the town has seen industry departures, leaving the town with vacant properties, a lack of transportation, and chronic homelessness. Additionally, the target area has a high unemployment rate of 8 percent with 18 percent of its residents living below the poverty line. Settled within Interstate 78, a major drug trafficking route, the target area is impacted by criminal and drug activity. Moreover, the Phillipsburg area has seen an increase in violent and property crime over the past decade. Although the target neighborhood has the smallest population and geographic area in the town, it has accounted for 50 percent of calls for service and a large proportion of the town’s violent crime.
Planning Process
The Phillipsburg BCJI project planning phase lasted from October 2014 through September 2015. During this period, partners developed a strategic plan containing evidence-based strategies for crime reduction and community support. They began with a public forum, seeking from the start to establish open lines of communication with the community to gain insight on crime, safety, and quality of life issues. Following the forum, BCJI partners distributed surveys and conducted focus groups to better understand the full depth of the issues. They also narrowed in on hot spots through crime analysis.
The process led to the discovery that there are four hot spots in the downtown area. These areas were found to receive the majority of calls for service for Type I crimes and were also found to be the areas with the main source of drug sales, distribution, and narcotics crimes. One of the major concerns is that the physical environment and economic landscape perpetuates crime. Researchers determined that there are a large number of abandoned storefronts and businesses throughout the downtown area. According to residents, this lack of industry negatively impacts the perception of safety in the community. Specifically, there were significant differences in the perception of crime with the length of residency in the area. Compared to newer residents, residents of over 10 years who have witnessed the changes in the neighborhood commented on decline and disorder.
Implementation Strategies
The Phillipsburg team began implementation in late 2016 following receipt of an implementation grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. They are focusing on the following strategies:
- Launch of a “Station House Adjustment” (SHA) program, which helps keep first-time juvenile offenders who have committed minor offenses out of the system.
- Implement a closed circuit camera system in the downtown area to aid the Phillipsburg Police Department in their efforts to solve crimes and identify suspects.
- Employ the SARA (scan, analyze, respond, assess) model as part of a community policing approach
The BCJI effort exemplifies and augments the Phillipsburg Police Department’s commitment to community outreach. For example, they participated in a National Night Out event which helped raise awareness of crime and drug prevention efforts, garnish support for local anti-crime efforts, and promote youth education. The Department also took the opportunity to present their new officers to the town at the event as a part of their goal of positive interactions and accountability between law enforcement officers and residents.
Other Key Partners
Phillipsburg Police Department, Phillipsburg Mayor’s Office, Phillipsburg Guidance Counselors, Warren County Juvenile Justice Commission, Warren County Probation, Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Warren County Human Service, Catholic Charities, Family Guidance Center, New Jersey Youth Corps, Phillipsburg Urban Enterprise Zone Board, Phillipsburg Downtown Association, and Phillipsburg Area Performing Arts
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