Current and Former Hudson County Law Enforcement Officials Condemn Bhalla for Anti-Police Endorsement

HUDSON COUNTY, N.J – Today, the following current and former law enforcement officials released a joint statement condemning Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla for soliciting the endorsement of anti-police activist David Ocampo-Grajales, who has repeatedly called for the defunding of police departments.

• Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, retired Jersey City Police Lieutenant
• Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari
• Hudson County Commissioner Anthony L. Romano, retired Hoboken Police Department Captain
• Bayonne Mayor James Davis, retired Bayonne Police Department Captain
• Bayonne Councilman at Large Juan Perez, retired NJ State Trooper Captain & former Hudson County Sheriff
• Bayonne Councilman Loyad Booker, Jr., retired Bayonne Police Department
• Jersey City Councilman Rich Boggiano, retired Jersey City Police Department
• Matt Fedrow, President, Hudson County Sheriff’s Superiors FOP Lodge # 127
• Joe Cossolini, President, Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association

“As current and former members of law enforcement, we are appalled and disappointed by Ravi Bhalla’s solicitation of an endorsement by David Ocampo Grajales – an activist who has again and again called to defund police departments, make our communities less safe and insulted the men and women who protect our families and neighbors on a daily basis.

“At a time when police departments are struggling with morale, recruitment, and retention issues, Bhalla is associating with someone who believes that the exact people who put their lives on the line each and every day do so because they have ‘fragile egos’. It is all the more disturbing that Bhalla courted this endorsement when Hoboken has recently seen several disturbing violent incidents including shootings and carjackings. This should concern all residents of the 8th Congressional District, especially those who serve or have family members who serve in law enforcement and those who want to ensure our communities are kept safe for all of our residents.”