Although there have been no reports of violence or vandalism in Princeton, the Princeton Police Department is increasing its presence in the Central Business District and at the Princeton Shopping Center on N. Harrison St., officials announced June 1.
The decision to increase the police presence is in response to violence and vandalism incidents in cities across the United States, triggered by the May 25 death of an African American man at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis.
The Princeton Police Department encourages citizens rights groups to assemble for peaceful protests, but some of the protests in cities from Minneapolis to Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Trenton have turned from peaceful to violent.
Officials said the increased police presence is aimed at protecting citizens’ rights to conduct peaceful protests and to do so safely, while preventing the protests from turning violent and also deterring others from vandalizing Princeton’s small businesses.
Princeton officials said they do not expect any problems to occur, but there is a need to remain vigilant in the event things do not go as planned. If residents have questions or concerns, they may call the Princeton Police Department at 609-921-2100.