News from the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners
Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director Ÿ Doug Singleterry, Commissioner Deputy Director
Sara Sooy, Commissioner Ÿ Melonie Marano, Commissioner Ÿ Paul Drake, Commissioner
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2023
Contact Lisa Krueger at (908) 231-7020 for more information and to arrange interviews.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
Somerset County Introduces New Community Police Alliance Coordinator in Bound Brook
County Embeds a Bi-Lingual Licensed Social Worker with the Bound Brook Police Department Following a Highly Successful Pilot in Bridgewater
SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County will introduce its newest Community Police Alliance Coordinator (CPAC), Victor Florez-Lopez, at a Meet and Greet at the Bound Brook Municipal Courtroom with community, faith, police, and elected leaders on Thursday, October 19, at 11:30 a.m. in Bound Brook. Florez-Lopez is a bi-lingual licensed social worker (LSW), who will partner with the local police department to identify individuals and families in need of mental health, substance use, and other support services to reduce law enforcement interaction for non-criminal related incidents.
CPAC MEET AND GREET
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
Time: 11:30 a.m. (Program is ~30 minutes, onsite interviews available until 1 p.m.)
Location: Bound Brook Court Room, Bound Brook Municipal Building, 230 Hamilton St. Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Florez-Lopez will be available for on-camera and other interviews in English and Spanish to discuss the CPAC program and his expectations for success in Bound Brook. Other participants available for interviews include Somerset County Commissioner Paul Drake, Bound Brook Council member Abel Gomez (English and Spanish), and Bound Brook Police Chief Ricky Colombaroni.
ABOUT CPAC’S ROLE IN BOUND BROOK: As the Community Police Alliance Coordinator for Bound Brook, Forez-Lopez will receive, analyze, act upon, and follow up on referrals provided to him by the Bound Brook Police Department and residents to provide access to programs and services that can improve lives. By improving the living situation of residents and families before they reach a crisis point, the Community Police Alliance focuses on reducing harm to the public, saving law enforcement resources, and creating a better community for everyone.
Bound Brook’s population is more than 50 percent of Hispanic descent according to the United States Census, with many residents speaking Spanish as their primary language at home. Florez-Lopez is fluent in Spanish, and will work with local Hispanic community, municipal and business leaders to become a well-known and trusted resource to ensure all residents have access to vital services.
To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # #