As Murphy targets gun violence, Pascrell demands Paterson honor student's killers be found

PATERSON — With eight shootings in January, Paterson has yet to gain a respite from a three-year spike in gun violence. And Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. has had enough of the scourge.

Appearing Thursday morning with Gov. Phil Murphy to announce new initiatives aimed at stemming the tide of violence, the congressman demanded the arrest of whoever fatally shot 18-year-old Paterson honor student Robert Cuadra “no later” than this weekend.

Pascrell directly addressed Mayor Andre Sayegh as he called for the capture of Cuadra’s killers during a press conference outside Paterson’s police headquarters.

“There’s no more important issue than we get these thugs off the street,” Pascrell declared. “By this weekend, we want these clowns picked up.”

Murphy announced $8.2 million in grants for 25 anti-violence community groups around the state, along with $7 million for technology for police departments throughout New Jersey.

Murphy talked about the death of Cuadra, who was killed by a stray bullet on Jan. 19 as he helped his grandmother with groceries.

“Sometimes good people get caught in the middle of horrific results,” the governor said.

Murphy's announcement was made as Paterson comes off two record-breaking years for shootings and homicides.

The city has endured 326 shootings from 2019 through 2021, incidents in which 444 people were killed or injured, according to data compiled by Paterson Press from police press releases.

In comparison, Paterson had 242 shootings from 2016 through 2018, resulting in 275 deaths and injuries. The number of shootings in the city has gone up 35% during the past three years, and the numbers of victims has risen by 61%, according to Paterson Press.

Paterson Press asked Sayegh if he thought the city would be able to meet Pascrell’s challenge and catch Cuadra’s killers by the weekend. The mayor said the investigation was still ongoing, adding that the city is committed to bringing to justice whoever caused the teenager’s death.

Paterson shooting victim's mom: My son inspired me to overcome addiction

New equipment coming for cops: More than half of Paterson’s cops have expired body armor

During the press conference, Murphy and his acting attorney general, Andrew Bruck, emphasized the importance of investing in community anti-violence groups while also putting money into improving law enforcement. The Police Department funding will cover the costs of integrating what currently are three distinct systems — acoustic gunshot detection devices, surveillance cameras and automatic license plate readers — officials said.

“It increases the likelihood that if you shoot and kill somebody, we’re going to catch you,” Bruck said.

State officials at the press conference did not disclose exactly how the $7 million would be distributed among local police departments. City officials said they did not know how much of the money Paterson would get.

Among the speakers at the governor’s press conference was the head of a Paterson-based community group, Reimagining Justice, which is one of six organizations getting $500,000 from the state under the program announced Thursday. The money comes from New Jersey’s portion of the American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief program, officials said.

“We can’t afford for our city to lose any more of our loved ones,” said Liza Chowdhury of Reimaging Justice

Chowdhury also is head of the Paterson Healing Collective, a group that provides services to gunshot victims in the city. She talked about the clients during the press conference.

“They’re not bad kids,” Chowdhury asserted. “They’re not thugs. They just need help and support.”

Intervention funding across New Jersey

These are the 25 New Jersey organizations that will receive funds in the state's $8.2 million investment in community-based violence intervention:

1. Juvenile Education and Awareness Project, Passaic, $47,087

2. Reimagining Justice Inc., Paterson, $500,000

3. Newark Community Street Team Inc., Newark, $499,996

4. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ, Asbury Park, $93,416

5. Mighty Writers, Camden, $500,000

6. Advocacy Foundation Inc., Atlantic County, $365,758

7. HMH Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, $499,957

8. Hope and Future Inc., West New York, $250,000

9. James R Halsey Foundation of the Arts, Trenton, $50,000

10. After School All Stars New Jersey, Newark, $118,950

11. Salvation and Social Justice, Trenton, $500,000

12. Center For Family Services Inc., Camden, $245,008

13. United Community Corporation, Newark, $500,000

14. Life Worth Living Inc., Bridgeton, $430,885

15. Elizabeth Youth Theatre Ensemble, Elizabeth, $380,240

16. Prevention Education Inc. T/A PEI Kids, Lawrence, $348,990

17. United Advocacy Group Inc., Bridgeton, $261,310

18. The Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families Inc., Galloway, $52,545

19. Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County, Jersey City, $500,000

20. Nicholas Luciano Safe Way Out a NJ Nonprofit, Mount Laurel, $200,000

21. Inside Outside Circle Foundation, Newark, $181,153

22. The HUBB Arts & Trauma Center (FP YouthOutCry Foundation, Inc.), Newark, $487,343

23. Hear My Cries a NJ Nonprofit Organization, Newark, $498,000

24. REFAL Inc., Newark, $500,000

25. Weequahic Park Environmental Authority, Newark, $227,000

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press.

Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: Robert Cuadra shooting focus of Phil Murphy rally