Mayor Fulop shakes up the JCPD hierarchy, gets our support

Business leaders like to talk about 'skin in the game' as a model to help everyone feel they have a stake in whatever outcome is desired. The feeling goes if you have a stake or an investment in something you will work harder to make it great.

Such is the thinking by new Mayor Steve Fulop who shook up the JCPD by making sure more residents of Jersey City are in key posts. Skin in the game. You're far more likely as a police captain to squash crime and make your city livable if you live in the city. You care at the end of the day. You go home to the city you work in, not a 30 minute drive somewhere else. You don't leave your patrol or command at the end of the day hoping to put Jersey City behind you for another night. You have a greater sense of pride if you work where you live.

We agree. Here are some of the new posts handed down by the Mayor (comments by city spokesperson Jennifer Morrill):

North District Commander Capt. Edgar Martinez, a city resident, was appointed by Healy and he has retained the position. Morrill called Martinez “a highly competent commander.”

City resident Capt. Michael Kelly has taken over command of the West District, city resident Capt. Daniel Solliti has taken command of the East District and city resident Capt. Joseph Ascolese has assumed command of the ESU, Morrill said.

Although not a city resident, Capt. Frederick Younger retained command of the South District due to a limited number of captains who are city residents, Morrill said. Younger “has a deep knowledge of crime, streets and the criminal players in the South District,” the spokeswoman said.

So there you go. We like Fulop's plan. We don't know why all Jersey City police don't live in the city they are sworn to protect. It would seem like a good idea. Now all we need is for Capt. Frederick Younger to move into the city.