This is what Paterson hopes to learn about public safety from Omaha | Sayegh

Public safety is paramount. Last year, for the first time in a long time, Paterson saw a double-digit decrease in both shootings and homicides. So far in 2023, our city has also seen a double-digit decrease in both shootings and homicides. Although we are seeing a decline in gun violence, our quest to make Paterson a safer city is unceasing.

It was recently reported that Omaha, Nebraska, has seen a marked decrease in shootings. In fact, the aforementioned city has cut gun violence in half and may become a model around the country. We are interested in emulating Omaha’s efforts and outcomes relative to reducing gun violence, and that’s why I am leading a delegation from Paterson to visit Omaha in April.

Our itinerary includes a meeting with Omaha’s Mayor Jean Stothert, followed by a sit-down with law enforcement leaders in the city.

A considerable amount of their success is attributable to an initiative titled Omaha 360.

Omaha 360 is a public safety program, started in 2009 by the Empowerment Network, that involves nonprofits, neighborhood associations, churches and local law enforcement. Participants in the program indicate that it helps foster a tremendous amount of trust between the police and the community. This is something we are looking to improve in Paterson, and we will.

Our agenda in Omaha also includes attending a strategy session of Omaha 360. We hope to witness how the initiative creates synergy and promotes collaboration, intervention, enforcement, and reentry and support services. The lessons we learn from this comprehensive approach to combating crime will be shared immediately upon our return.

We are optimistic that our fact-finding mission to Omaha will help us better engage and empower our stakeholders. We have prioritized a proactive approach to public safety by investing over $100 million in improving our parks, pools, playgrounds and athletic fields for our youth. However, we are adamant that those areas are safe places for our young people to play.

Our current efforts to restore the relationship with the police include two trust-building programs. The first is “Shop with a Cop.” Last December, we took more than 100 children Christmas shopping at the local mall. Our next event is called “Bowl with the Blue.” Later this month we will take over 100 of our youngsters bowling.

I have been a big believer in best practices since my days working at Burger King and our continuous endeavors to improve customer service at the fast-food franchise. Now, as mayor, the magnitude of my mission has increased substantially, and I am determined to implement the most salient ideas we cull from our counterparts in Omaha.

Andre Sayegh is mayor of Paterson.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: This is what Paterson hopes to learn about public safety from Omaha