Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. issued the following statement regarding the City of Newark’s new policy directing police officers to refer victims of crimes, such as simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment to file complaints in municipal court, rather than compile an incident report themselves.

“As a member of the City Council and member of the Public Safety Committee, it is simply unacceptable that I was never briefed on this major change affecting the city's ability to respond to the needs of our residents.

Sign my e-petition to reverse this policy.

Councilman Anibal Ramos with children at the Pan American Caribbean Boxing Club, which received a donation of fitness equipment from Prudential.

North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. today announced that three community groups in Newark received high-quality fitness equipment donated from Prudential through his office.

The North Ward Center, Aspira Inc of New Jersey Boxing Program and the Pan American Caribbean Boxing Organization each received a variety of equipment, including Precor treadmills and stationary bicycles, Cybex weight machines, and free weights and televisions for the equipment.

The City Council has introduced legislation sponsored by Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. to create a parks advisory board to oversee an estimated $1 million dollar fund to improve the Newark's parks.

The money will come from a open space trust fund that voters approved by voters in November 2014 that levies a one-cent per $100 of assessed property value.

"This legislation establishes the mechanism by which we will be able to begin collecting and investing the funds to improve our city parks," Ramos said. "We will be able to leverage both county and state funds as well as private dollars."