The ribbon-cutting for a new community resource center in Plainfield was held on Saturday, December 11, 2021.
The Housing Authority of Plainfield (HAP) and the Plainfield Police Department (PPD) visited Joanne Hollis Gardens (JHG) to celebrate the new community policing initiative, which will feature meeting spaces and provide a range of services. The event was attended by Union County’s chief law enforcement officer and multiple law enforcement officials, as well as leaders from state and local levels.
The new resource center is located at 535 West Third Street. It will act as a haven for residents in need and aims to help restore trust through community policing. Its services will directly support at-risk youth, battered women, and individuals seeking recovery from substance abuse while also increasing police visibility in the area.
“Our mission is to better increase the relationship between the Plainfield Police Department and our residents,” said Randall Wood, executive director of the Plainfield Housing Authority. “This partnership reflects not only the spirit of the housing authority but the shared values of our partners and their commitment to serving our residents.”
The community policing initiative aims to improve the overall quality of life for the residents of Joanne Hollis Gardens and the community in which it serves. Residents and members of the public are able to drop in during operating hours to request police services, ask questions, or simply speak to a police officer.
“It’s important to create a strong relationship with the residents,” said Captain David Guarino of the Plainfield Police Department. “Not only will they feel safe in their own communities but we want them to feel comfortable coming up to our team with any questions or concerns they have.”
“Our priority is to always create viable, safe and healthy communities that empower our residents,” said Louise A. Colodne, chairwoman of the Plainfield Housing Authority. “We are able to deliver on those promises by collaborating with partners like the Plainfield Police Department who share that same interest in serving our residents with integrity and respect.”
Prior to being remodeled to serve as the resource center, the vacant unit was used as a living space.
