Mayor Fulop chooses New York City deputy police chief James Shea as his Public Safety Director

Mayor Steve Fulop looked outside New Jersey to tap current NYC Deputy Police Chief James Shea as his top man for Public Safety Director. Shea gained attention for his part in the controversial (let's just call it what it is, racist) NYC "stop and frisk" policy. Since early in the campaign Fulop had been rather quiet on the subject after long ago saying he was against it. We were happy to have spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill reiterate Fulop's opposition yesterday when she said he's still opposed, adding that "profiling people via "stop and frisk' is not a policy we will undertake in Jersey City." Good call.

Fulop said of Shea, "His credentials are really impeccable." Fulop also cited Shea for a "track record of success in very, very tough areas."

What drew Shea to the position? "When I first met with Mayor Fulop, I was taken by his vision of a Jersey City for all of its residents." When asked about his initial impressions of what will become his new hometown Shea said he found Cool City to be "very diverse" and "very dynamic."

Welcome Mr. Shea, and understand, we're pulling for you. If you succeed in a professional way Jersey City wins. 

But we'll also be watching. With both eyes.