The following appeared in the July 13, 2005 edition of the Record:
The Concerned Citizens Organization of Hackensack strongly supports many of the suggestions set forth in "Hackensack's chance" (Editorial, July 3). Most particularly, we support the editorial's suggestion that this is the "opportunity for the city government to ease the distrust and alienation many minority residents feel toward law enforcement and City Hall."
Just recently, the state attorney general mandated that all police officers must go through a three-hour training course on racial profiling. They must also pass a test to show that they have learned this lesson. Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa must make sure this program is enforced, particularly at a time when the city is dealing with complaints about the behavior of its own police officers.
Institution of a civil complaint review board made up of both citizens and law enforcement officers would address these issues in a suitable manner.
We must make Hackensack citizens aware that such issues exist and are not to be swept under the rug. Chief Zisa has expressed his desire to resolve these issues. We now look to the newly elected mayor and council to address them as well.
Larry Riley and Blanche M. Stuart
Hackensack, July 6
The writers are president and secretary, respectively, of the Concerned Citizens Organization.