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Officer Daniel Rivera – better known as “Bookem” – has been mentoring inner-city youth for five years.
He’s produced several videos in the past year aimed at bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community -- among them, “Good Cop.”
WATCH BELOW: “Good Cop” (Bookem)
Earlier this year, Rivera collaborated on a video with a student from Lincoln High School in Jersey City.
WATCH BELOW: "Goin’ Make It"
Born in Jersey City, raised in Bayonne and now a resident of Fairview, the father of three girls has been a Hudson County sheriff's officer for 14 years.
Rivera’s “messages through music are on point with what true community policing (with youth) should be about,” Fairview Police Chief Martin Kahn said.
“Bookem” and his BRIDGES team will perform at the free National Night Out events in Fairview and Garfield.
Fairview’s National Night Out will be at Columbus Park on 6th Street.
Garfield’s National Night Out will be at the Century Field Complex on Elizabeth Street.
Both start at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Among the other 36th annual National Night Out events aimed at preventing crime and illegal drug use:
Four Northern Highlands towns -- Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River and Upper Saddle River -- are joining with the USRA Coalition to co-sponsor an event at the Red Barn behind Crestwood Lake in Allendale from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
There'll be a DJ, games, ice cream, face painting, inflatable games and children’s’ activities.
Food will be sold by Johnny Zeppoli, Carmelo’s Brick Oven Pizza, Bobcat’s Texas Barbeque, and Empanada Mania. A free ice cream vendor will also be on hand.
The four towns are among more than 16,500 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world – totaling more than 38.5 million people – who will participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”
The purpose:
• Heighten crime- and drug- prevention awareness;
• Generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships;
• Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
“National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation,” National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said.
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