PBA Local 105 President Lance Lopez responded to yesterday’s Senate Budget and Appropriations hearing on the Department of Law and Public Safety’s budget and more specifically regarding the testimony on halfway housing in New Jersey.

Yesterday, the Department of Corrections Commissioner stated that he has no major concerns about how halfway houses are run in New Jersey and doesn’t believe that any should be shut down. “Halfway houses are operating at an expense to the State that is not fully represented. When all of the costs associated with running these houses is realized it is evident that utilizing PBA Local 105 officers is the most cost efficient option,” said Lance Lopez, President of PBA Local 105. Lopez continued, “Costs and efficiencies are always a major concern and rightfully so, but safety is of paramount importance. Trained law enforcement officers will always better protect the public, as evidenced by the number of unnecessary escapes from halfway houses.”

PBA Local 105 is interested in working with the Department of Corrections to identify the best course of action to make sure costs and safety are addressed. Having professional law enforcement officers overseeing correctional operations at all levels is not only safer, it is cheaper.

PBA Local 105 represents New Jersey’s Correctional Officers, Juvenile Justice Commission, and Parole Officers comprised of over 5,000 members. The union is responsible for the protection of all of New Jersey’s citizens every day.