Its mission is both straightforward and invaluable: to help people live a better quality of life.
When people see uniforms flooding their street they usually think its trouble. But for some Trenton residents, it just the opposite.
Trenton Police, along with housing inspectors and the fire department have been going door-to-door as part of the Directed Neighborhood Patrols, where they are focusing on quality of life issues.
"What we do is we find out the major concerns they have, and then we refer those concerns to the proper agencies. And then we follow up later to make sure we got everything right," explained Sgt. Marshall Rivera.
Police, firefighters and inspectors were working Church Street, introducing themselves and asking about neighborhood problems.
Detectives learned of street lights that don't work and called to notify the electric company.
"Toward the end of the street the lights are out, with lights out people tend to gather and do drug sales," said Detective Luis Reyes.
Neighbors told of an abandoned house used by drug addicts. Inspectors found vagrants were grilling with an open flame inside, and the place was boarded up.
Firefighters delivered smoke detectors to houses that needed them and even did the installations.
"We're finding that there are either dead batteries or they don't have them at all," said John Britton. "So it is a pretty good program."
Police say it is about improving life and building relationships.
"That means we are more protected," said Dawn Dean. "That means they are getting involved."
"The means if I need police protection, I have easy access to it and won't be afraid to call them," said Dena Coleman.
Police have done similar patrols over the years, but they are focusing more manpower than ever before, and are hoping the program will produce positive results in the city's neighborhoods.
