Jersey City Mayor Wants to Merge Police, Fire

The new mayor of New Jersey’s second largest city wants to merge the police and fire departments as a way to cut costs and streamline services.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s ordinance will be introduced during a hearing on Wednesday.

Fulop has already announced the creation of a public safety department that would be led by New York City police veteran James Shea.

Fulop believes combining the departments would result in an initial savings of $350,000.

Councilman Richard Boggiano, who is a former Jersey City police officer, tells The Jersey Journal the merger is a foolish move. Boggiano says the two departments don’t get along and he doesn’t think there will be savings.

Seven of the nine council members ran on Fulop’s slate.