The struggle for control of the Paterson police is intensifying, as a new lawsuit sheds light on the ongoing battle between Mayor Andre Sayegh and Attorney General Matthew Platkin. The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey Superior Court, presents conflicting orders and reveals the deep-rooted conflict between these two figures. This legal action comes as part of Sayegh’s larger attempts, alongside former police chief Bert Ribeiro and Assistant Public Safety Director Mark Bulur, to end state intervention in the city’s troubled law enforcement agency. As the power struggle continues, the focus of the new lawsuit centers on Ribeiro’s assignment location.
In a sworn statement, Ribeiro detailed the conflicting orders he received in November. Mayor Sayegh had initially instructed him to return to Paterson and report for duty at City Hall, while Abbassi, the retired New York police commander appointed by state officials, ordered him to continue his state-imposed assignment in Trenton. Ribeiro followed Sayegh’s directive and reported to Paterson City Hall, only to receive a series of messages from state officials instructing him to meet with Abbassi at Paterson police headquarters later that day. During their meeting, Abbassi made it clear that Ribeiro should follow his orders, not those of a politician.
Despite these legal battles, crime rates in Paterson have shown signs of improvement. Since the state intervention in March, the city has witnessed a decline in shootings and homicides. The Attorney General’s Office allocated an extra $10 million in funding for the Paterson Police Department, aiming to address the controversies that have plagued the force for years. However, the ongoing power struggle raises concerns about the effectiveness of the intervention and the ability to establish a stable and accountable police force.
The lawsuit attempting to nullify state control over the Paterson Police Department is being handled by attorneys who are not being paid with taxpayers’ money, according to Mayor Sayegh. This ensures that the legal action does not burden the city’s finances further.
Both the Attorney General’s Office and Isa Abbassi declined to comment on the new lawsuit. However, in response to inquiries about Ribeiro’s duties at City Hall, Mayor Sayegh emphasized that he is a city employee funded by Paterson taxpayers. Sayegh stated that Ribeiro would be assigned to create an Office of Violence Prevention and coordinate efforts related to the city’s response to the opioid crisis, in addition to the RealFix initiative aimed at combating the heroin problem.
The power struggle between Sayegh and Platkin highlights the complexities of governing a troubled police department and the challenges of reclaiming local control after the state steps in. As the legal battles continue, the ultimate goal must be to ensure public safety, rebuild community trust, and establish effective law enforcement practices in Paterson.
Note: This news article has been generated using AI language model but adheres to the guidelines mentioned.
