TRENTON, N.J. — Recently, the City of Trenton recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month, which occurs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with the return of the Puerto Rican Day Parade along South Broad and Front streets, and in Mill Hill Park, Trenton.
According to attendees, the parade has been absent from the city for at least four years due to budgetary problems and seemingly lack of participation. However, this year, the turnout was huge and there were vendors, music, food, contests, and plenty of enthusiasm.
George Jones, a resident of Mill Hill District, said the parade had ceased for a few years, “due to the weather and participation. We couldn’t get enough sponsors,” he said.
He added that the heritage is very important, and so it is a good idea to bring it back because Trenton has lost its heritage. He also mentioned that there used to be other parades such as the African and Jamaican parades, and that the kids need to see that we can all come together.
An attendee, Susana Rios, said it has been about four or five years ago since she has been to a Puerto Rican Day Parade in Trenton. She said she was enjoying the music, the vendors and the parade.
Others, such as Erin Lind, said she was also enjoying the return of the parade and was looking forward to the food.
TRENTON, N.J. — Early Saturday afternoon, the Mill Hill District section of downtown Trenton experienced more than an hour of power outage that inconvenienced residents and businesses in the area.PSE&G electricians arrive at Market Street between South Broad and Jackson streets Saturday to remove balloons from the power lines after they caused a power outage in the Mill Hill District area of downtown Trenton. – Photo by Michelle Dryden
Shortly after Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) electricians arrived on the scene, they discovered that the cause of the outage were the party balloons made of aluminum-like materials that were hanging on the wires along Market Street between South Broad and Jackson streets.
A PSE&G workman explained that the materials the balloons are made of, ignited with the electricity in the power wires and caused the loud explosion that the folks in the neighborhood heard at the moment of the power outage.
One resident commented that she now realizes how much she is attached to her television and computer because she really wanted the power back on so she can get back to them.
The electricians quickly restored electric service to the neighborhood after removing the balloons from the power lines and then turning back on the power fuse.
Michelle Dryden is an experienced newspaper journalist with a master’s degree in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University, and a bachelor’s degree in traditional journalism from Rider University.
TRENTON, N.J. – Tuesday was the 29-year-old, annual National Night Out, which is an anti-crime, anti-drugs event that started in the City of Trenton 15 years ago as a community-wide event, that partners with law enforcers.
“There are actually 53 unique events throughout the city,” said Paul Harris, Coordinator of Trenton’s National Night Out. “It’s a community-oriented event,” said Harris.
He explained that the purpose of the event is to deter criminal activities, to show appreciation to our law enforcement officials, and to encourage people to come out of their homes and interact with each other. Harris went on to say that with the police and fire departments involved, it directly discourages criminals.
“It is saying to the criminals, this is our city, our neighborhood, “ he said.
The National Night Out parties usually starts at 5 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. However, the times vary from community to community.
In the Mill Hill District community of Trenton, about 150 community members including elected officials, the police and fire departments came out to mingle and show support.
The Kick-Off was at a one-spot location, at City Hall, in the City of Trenton. Many of the elected officials, law enforcement agencies, people from various neighborhoods throughout the city, and supporters of anti-crime programs, all attended.
The National Night Out effort is meant to foster years-long crime prevention programs throughout the city.
“We try to do a neighborhood watch walk,” said Kari Brookhouse, a Mill Hill resident of Trenton, who was at the block party. “We try to get people to do it like daily, but I don’t know that they do,” she said.
Brookhouse continued that, “We try to get cameras so that individuals have surveillance in their homes.”
She also said they try to give everyone in the neighborhood the police department phone numbers.
Angela Capio, one of those attending the block party, said that crime has happened in Mill Hill, but it is not prevalent. She added, “I think there is safety issues in any city.”
Capio said that the night’s event was to celebrate the community and the people who protect us such as police officers and firefighters. She said the mailman was invited to the event as well.
