First 500 people will receive dairy, shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis.
One food distribution per household, while supplies last.
Bring a cart for the walk-up.
Refrigerate any perishable items shortly after distribution.
Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
Event will take place rain or shine.
Click here to view and/or download the event flyer in English and Spanish. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.
Linden, NJ –The Linden Police Department is pleased to announce that they have completed a pledge they took to improve their response to those suffering from mental illness in their community. The pledge is part of an initiative called the One Mind Campaign started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a 31,000 member professional association for law enforcement that provides training, technical assistance, and recruitment services. To join the One Mind Campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge to implement four promising practices in a 12-36 month period to ensure successful future interactions between police officers and persons with mental illness. Linden became just the second agency in New Jersey to complete the pledge.
In the law enforcement community, mental illness has become a common focus, with some departments estimating that as many as 20% of their calls for service are related to mental health challenges. Chief David Hart made the decision to join the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s One Mind Campaign because of the growing number of calls for service related to mental health, as well as the challenges associated with safely dealing with a person in crisis.
“For years, we have been among the most progressive agencies in Union County and across the state in our efforts to build relationships within the mental health community,” said Chief Hart. “The One Mind Campaign is a natural fit, and our participation further demonstrates our commitment to helping members of our community who are in crisis.”
The Linden Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), led by Captain Abdul Williams, hosts several event throughout the year to help build relationships and interact with affected members of the community when they are not in crisis. Captain Williams and other members of the team have been instrumental in developing curriculum and facilitating training for Police officers across the state. The program is well-respected for their consistent, sustained efforts; in 2017 the program was honored as the Program of the Year by the CIT – NJ Center of Excellence in 2017. Captain Williams was also personally honored earlier this year when he was selected as the 2020 Program Coordinator of the Year.
In completing the One Mind Pledge, the Linden Police Department established a sustainable partnership with a local mental health organization, developed and implemented a model policy to address officers’ interactions with those affected by mental illness, and ensured that all of their officers received some type of mental health awareness training, with at least twenty percent of the department completing the more intensive CIT or equivalent crisis response training. The 40-hour Crisis Intervention curriculum is designed by local agencies to train a team of specialized officers to respond to calls that involve individuals with mental health disorders such as depression or intellectual disability. The curriculum includes education on various de-escalation techniques as well as live role-play scenarios of officers responding to persons who need mental health assistance.
“I want to tip my hat off to our Linden Police Department for their constant dedication and commitment to the Linden community and putting practices in place to bridge the gap between officers and persons with mental illnesses,” said Linden Mayor Derek Armstead. “The Linden Police Department is the second police department in NJ to complete the pledge, and we are proud of their efforts.””
For more information about the One Mind Campaign, visit the IACP’s website. A list of all agencies who have taken the pledge is available there. For more information about the Linden Police Department’s CIT program, please click here.
If you live in Union County and are either struggling to pay your rent or utility bills, or if you are a housing provider who is owed rent, you may be eligible for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Help the Linden Students kick off the next school year with some fresh school supplies! Please consider donating supplies from the Amazon wish list is available here. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the J.T.G. Center 330 Helen St, Monday –Friday between the hours of 9am – 4pm. Evenings and weekends donations can be brought to any Linden Fire House. Thank you for your anticipated support of our youth.
The County of Union is offering a Mobile Vaccination Clinic at Wheeler Park in Linden on Wednesday, July 21st from 4:30pm until 7pm. The County is offering the choice of J&J (for those 18 years or older) or Pfizer (for those 12 years or older). Please remember to bring a form of identification for those who want to be vaccinated. Open to anyone who lives and/or works in Union County. For your GPS, please use 290 West Stimpson Ave, Linden, NJ 07036.
Thirty-eight Cadets were celebrated by family, friends, and City Officials as they graduated from the Linden Police Youth Academy on Friday, July 16, 2021.
The Academy is a free, annual program offered to Linden residents entering sixth, seventh, or eighth grade. The program includes presentations and hands-on demonstrations from Police Department personnel and agency partners to familiarize Cadets with Police operations, criminal investigations, first aid, and other Police related duties. This was the third year the Department has hosted the program; it was canceled in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
The program was made possible by a $5,000 donation from the Linden Branch of Columbia Bank.
“Our Youth Academy is one of the most anticipated community events of the year,” said Police Chief David Hart. “Columbia Bank has supported this program from its inception; their generous donation, and the support of our community partners, allowed us to make this experience available to more kids while keeping it free of change.”
We would like to thank all of the Police Officers, Detectives, and Traffic Investigators who made themselves available to help with this program throughout the week. We would also like to thank our partners who did so much to make this experience special for our Cadets:
Columbia Bank of Linden, Villani Bus Company, Linden Airport, Linden PBA Local # 42, Linden Police Superior Officers Association, Linden Recreation Department, The US Marine Corps Recruiting Center Elizabeth, NJ Transit Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, Norfolk Southern Railroad Police, Linden Fire Department, Union County Police SWAT, US Customs & Border Protection, Union County Homicide Task Force, and the Union County Bomb Squad.
Please click here to view and/or download an informational flyer for an event on Monday, July 19, 2021, where a Motor Vehicle Commission Mobile Unit will be in Plainfield, from 10am until 2pm, to serve the residents of Legislative District 22. Space is limited and everyone must register. Please click here to register.
“In a Nutshell: As rising taxes spur migrations away from high-cost areas in the United States, Linden, New Jersey, stands out as an affordable, opportunity-filled destination. The city offers an influx of new industries, ongoing development, a thriving foodservice sector, and proximity to urban areas. Linden’s consistently low rate of taxation — and a commitment to keeping that rate low — can provide entrepreneurs the runway they need to save income early and reduce debt. For its commitment to low taxes, business development, and a high quality of living, Linden has earned our Editor’s Choice™ Award as a Top City for Reducing Debt.“
