By Anne Levin

As a result of outbreaks of violence in cities across the nation and, especially, in Trenton, the Princeton Police Department has increased its visibility and presence, especially in the Central Business District and at Princeton Shopping Center, where looting could take place.

“First, we want to ensure that those who peacefully protest are safe and protected from harm,” the department stated in a bulletin that was posted by the Princeton Merchants Association this week. “Second, we hope that our presence will deter others from vandalizing our small businesses. Although we do not expect any problems to occur, we need to remain vigilant and be prepared in the event that things don’t go as planned.”

The May 25 killing in Minneapolis of African American George Floyd by white police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, has sparked protests all over the nation, many of which have turned violent. Peaceful demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday in Trenton deteriorated on Sunday night into hours of looting, and the setting on fire of three police cars. Stores and banks on West State Street, East State Street, and other areas of the downtown were looted, as were stores at the Roebling Market shopping center.

Officers from all over the area were called to the capital city to help restore order. Helicopters circled the city for hours. An 8 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew was put in place. Police were also present at Quaker Bridge Mall and in downtown Princeton on Sunday night, though no looting took place. Curfews were also established in Lawrence, Ewing, and Hamilton.

The Coalition for Peace Action scheduled a peaceful protest for Tuesday evening, June 2, at Nassau and Witherspoon streets (after press time). The police advised the public to be aware of road closures and plan accordingly for detours. Labyrinth Books, and the organizations Not in Our Town and Choose, were among those scheduled to take part in the 5 p.m. “Kneeling for Justice” demonstration.

Statements in support of peaceful protest and condemning the killing of Floyd and the violence that has taken place have been issued by local governments, law enforcement, and numerous businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

“The Princeton Family YMCA stands with our neighbors across the nation who speak out courageously and peacefully for equity, justice, and inclusion,” wrote CEO Kate Bech on Monday. “Our hearts go out to those individuals who have suffered painfully and wrongly from any and all forms of racism.”

From American Repertory Ballet:  “We are reaching out to express our heartbreak over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, the continued injustices faced by black people, and all marginalized voices whose equity and freedoms are unjustly denied due to the systemic racism that is harmful to the quality of life affecting all of us.”

From Jill Barry, executive director at Morven Museum and Garden: “We share what we know of the generations of enslaved people that lived here and discuss why we don’t know more. We acknowledge the leadership role in the popular American Colonization Society political movement of the 1820s, and feel it is important to show its racist foundation. We show the cycles of civil unrest throughout American history, starting with the Revolution and continuing through New Jersey citizens’ response to police brutality in the 1960s. We share these stories, because, history need not be lived again.”

In a recently issued statement, Princeton Police Chief Nicholas Sutter said he has received numerous questions about how the department approaches such issues as racial bias and the use of force. “These questions are justified and understandable,” he said. “I can say without a hesitation that our department has proactively been at the forefront of these issues for many years. I also know that the proof is in our actions, not our claims.”

Sutter said tragic events like Floyd’s death, which was captured on video, can be the result of failures in recruitment, organizational culture, training, policy, or oversight. “In our department, we have worked incredibly hard at recruiting the highest caliber officers that possess a strong moral fabric,” he said. “We have built a diverse department that reflects the community we serve. We have created a culture that demands integrity and does not tolerate misconduct. We know that the misconduct of one tarnishes the entire profession and we will not stand for it amongst our ranks.”

The department is in the final stages of evaluating a body camera program, and expects to equip officers by the end of the summer. “This has been a deliberate and public process that will add another layer of public transparency to our actions,” Sutter said.