Mayor’s Quality of Life Task Force spurs clean up of quality of life violations in the West Ward.
Last week, Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. and Councilman Hassan Abdul-Rasheed led the Quality of Life Task Force in inspecting properties and quality of life problems predominately in the West Ward with other quality of life enforcement activity occurring simultaneously in other parts of the city..  The Task Force members included Police Director John Rappaport, and representatives of Building Code Enforcement, the Police Department; Fire Department; Public Works and Health Departments.

Here is a summary of last week’s Task Force activities:

Prostitution arrests at Mechanic St. and S. Essex Ave. and Henry St. and S. Essex Ave.
4 Warrant arrests: Lincoln and Crane, S. Essex and Mechanic St, Central and Lincoln, Freeway Drive
1 Warrant and Motor Vehicle arrest: S. Center and Freeway Drive
1 Disorderly Conduct arrest: S. Essex and Main St.
2 gun possession arrests: Ogden St.
Fire violations, garbage and debris: Tung Hing, 142 S. Essex Ave.
Fire violations, electric hazards: El Rodeo Lounge, 350 Henry St.
Fire violations: Brick Three Family Building, Gray St.
Fire violations and possible unauthorized usage: Cherry Lounge, 145 Lincoln Av.
Fire violations: Corner of Watchung and Lakeside Avenues, former McGary’s
No Zoning, 2011 Food License, and Certificate of Occupancy produced; Best Quality Liquors, 138 S Essex
Debris: Castaways Lounge, 284 Watchung Ave.
Possible Illegal residential use of commercial building: 439 Main Street

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“Now in our third year of operations, the Quality of Life Taskforce continues to seek out and fix problems created by violations of state and municipal laws. We have found that by coordinating the activities of the city council and the police, fire, buildings, public works and health departments, we are able to achieve a comprehensive solution to quality of life violations that is much more effective than addressing problems piecemeal.

While this week’s Task Force activities centered on the West Ward, the Task Force will be conducting operations in each of the other wards in the coming weeks.”

Statement by Councilman Hassan Abdul-Rasheed:
“I appreciated the opportunity to accompany the Quality of Life Taskforce as it performed its many different inspections and functions at my request with dedication and professionalism. I had the privilege of first joining this unit in March of 2010. Responding to the complaints and concerns of our citizens and taxpayers, several bars, liquor stores, restaurants and eateries were targeted for inspection. The Quality of Life Taskforce left no stone unturned. I would like to thank Mayor Hawkins, the Orange Fire Dept, the Orange Public Works Dept, the Orange Police Dept, the Health Officer, the Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer, and the Construction Official for their continued work to improve the quality of life for our citizens, while holding businesses and property owners accountable.”