We had a great turnout for our 9th Annual North Ward Halloween Event at Branch Brook Park on Oct. 31.

I want to thank all the volunteers and the sponsors: Mayor Ras Baraka, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, state Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, Council President Mildred Crump and Council members at-large Carlos Gonzalez, Edward Osborne and Luis Quintana.

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.