By Dawn Fantasia
The public is seeing conflicting messages, competing narratives and agencies operating in apparent silos. If a unified command structure exists, it isn’t visible.
The most important step before nightfall TODAY is for Governor Sherrill to reestablish a working relationship with the Department of Homeland Security and federal authorities. You DO NOT have to be ideologically aligned to work together during the immediate crisis.
Bring federal, state, county and local officials, and facility operators to the SAME TABLE. This has grown beyond a local dispute & now involves outside organizations, violent national activists and multiple layers of government.
Establish ONE state command structure with the New Jersey State Police, Newark PD, Essex County officials, emergency management, fire and EMS. If this exists, it is not evident to the public.
Work DIRECTLY WITH federal law enforcement; do not enforce or create any new barriers when it comes to presently protecting public safety.
SECURE THE AREA to protect residents, businesses, actual peaceful protesters, first responders and law enforcement. Efforts to address this are already evident, but appear to need additional resources and reinforcement at night.
Separate peaceful protest from criminal activity. Peaceful protest remains protected; rioting, arson, looting, assaults, projectiles, barricade attacks, & attacks on law enforcement result in immediate arrest. This has been unsuccessfully attempted.
Verify concerns regarding conditions, visitation, attorney access, and detainee welfare through direct COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION rather than competing narratives.
This IS NOT the federal government versus the State of New Jersey. It’s public safety versus disorder.
