PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIME REDUCTION
Trenton has become one of the most dangerous cities in America. Residents are afraid to walk their dogs in front of their own homes. Businesses won't invest here. Families are leaving. And for good reason—our city has seen record-breaking homicide numbers, rampant gang violence, and a police department that has been systematically dismantled over 30 years.
Rolando knows this issue inside and out. He served 26 years with the Trenton Police Department, including 6.5 years in the elite Pro-Active Unit and leadership roles in the TAC Unit, Warrant Squad, Street Crimes Unit, and Violent Crimes Unit. He knows what works—and what doesn't.
The Plan
Rebuild the Trenton Police Department
• Restore officer numbers to pre-2011 levels (340+ officers, currently at 260-280)
• Provide competitive contracts to boost morale and retention
• Recruit qualified candidates who are committed to serving Trenton
Restore Specialized Crime-Fighting Units
• Bring back the Street Crimes Unit and Violent Crimes Unit (eliminated in 2024)
• Reinstate proactive policing strategies that target violent gangs and repeat offenders
• Ensure officers have the training, resources, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively
Support Officers and Hold Leadership Accountable
• End the revolving door of unqualified police directors appointed for political reasons
• Appoint experienced, qualified law enforcement leadership
• Negotiate fair contracts (officers have been without a contract for 5+ years)
• Stand behind officers when they do their jobs correctly—don't throw them under the bus at the first sign of criticism
Work with Prosecutors to Keep Violent Offenders Off the Streets
• Hold the prosecutor's office accountable for actually prosecuting violent criminals
• End "sweet deals" that return dangerous individuals to our neighborhoods
• Ensure consequences for criminal behavior
Implement Community Partnerships
• Support evidence-based programs like outreach workers and violence intervention—but recognize they're supplements, not substitutes, for real policing
• Build trust between police and community through transparency and accountability
Why This Matters
Rolando was personally affected by the 2011 layoffs. He was demoted from Lieutenant to Sergeant and spent 5.5 years in that position before being repromoted in 2016. He knows the toll that political decisions take on officers and on public safety. He's not guessing about what needs to be done—he's lived it.
Public safety isn't a talking point for Rolando. It's personal.
Let’s go from Trenton to Triumph!!!