Director's Statement on Overnight Shootings

As summer has begun, we have unfortunately experienced incidents of violence in and around our neighborhoods. The latest occurring near our Mama Johnson Field on Monday night. In our united struggle to keep HHA safe, HHA Board members and staff have been in touch with the City Administration, the Hoboken Police Department, Councilman Ramos, Assemblywoman Chaparro, Commissioner Romano, and a range of service providers in Hoboken.  They, as we, are concerned and looking for answers. We will work ceaselessly until we can stop these brazen and terrible incidents that affect the peace and security of HHA residents.  I thank Chief Aguiar and the HPD for increased patrols at HHA.  They will be at the field for future events. I thank Councilman Ramos, Assemblywoman Chaparro, Commissioner Romano, and the City Administration for looking for funding for increased services to HHA residents – especially our youth population. I thank Superintendent Johnson of the Hoboken Schools for offering her organization’s support and services to those that might have been traumatized by Tuesday’s event. I thank the HHA staff for their constant vigilance and hard work in caring for each and every family living at HHA.

Yet none of us can do this alone – all have a role in making sure that our neighborhoods are safe and peaceful.  As residents of HHA, please think about what you can do to make our communities safer.  Are you willing to volunteer with a non-profit serving our youth? Do you know of a criminal activity or illegal weapons that you may be able to report – even in confidence? Are you aware of someone suffering from violence of any sort – domestic or on a wider scale? Do you have suggestions of what could be done to address and prevent these acts?

Please reach out to the HPD with information if you are comfortable with that. Alternatively, my staff and I are at your service.  You can reach out to your Manager. 

Or you can reach out directly to senior HHA staff as follows:

-Marc Recko, Executive Director: (201) 273-8492 – mobile phone

- Frank Merchand, Director of Management: (201)- 239-2145

-Corinne Shaw, Policy and Outreach: (201)-239-2194

- Lourdes Priestley, Director of Administration: (201)-798-0370

-Daniel Perez, Resident Services Coordinator: (201)-523)-3049

Wishing us all health, love, and clarity for the remainder of 2022!

Marc Recko

Executive Director