New Jersey Partnership Provides Safe Places to Combat Hate and Bias Crimes (2023)

Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Elizabeth, NJ

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office partnered with local law enforcement agencies, organizations, and businesses to combat bias and hate crimes.

Population: 600,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors:65 | Contact Information

As part of this community initiative, which originally began in Seattle, one officer in each municipality is trained to be the Safe Place liaison. The officers meet with business owners, church representatives, school representatives and others to encourage that organizations’ participation in the program. Once the liaison speaks with the organization representative and the organization agrees, the organization is given a “Safe Place” decal to display.

If someone in the community believes they are the victim or about to become the victim of a bias or hate crime, they can go to one of the locations displaying the decal knowing that they can remain safe while someone at the organization calls the police. In addition to the decals, educational meetings are held to open up lines of communication with the community.

In creating these safe places, Union County hopes to improve and encourage reporting of hate and bias crimes.