Prosecutors Probe Hoboken Safety Incident, As Mayor Alludes To Short-Term Rental Issue

HOBOKEN, NJ — After several streets in the center of Hoboken closed Sunday morning due to a police investigation, the city's mayor gave an update just before 4 p.m.

Mayor Emily Jabbour said the police and Prosecutor's Office were still investigating the incident Sunday morning, and that she couldn't release many details.

But she said she will look for support from the City Council to address regulations for short-term rentals in town.

Hoboken has faced some criticism from housing advocates for being among the few towns in the area without a strict policy on such rentals.

“I want to thank the Hoboken community for your patience following this morning’s police response on Garden Street," Jabbour said. "...I understand the frustration over the lack of publicly available details at this time, however we are unable to comment on an active investigation, which is now being led by the HCPO."

She added, "At the next City Council meeting, I plan to introduce an ordinance that will regulate short-term rentals, by establishing clear safety standards, holding property owners accountable, and giving our Public Safety Department better tools to monitor these properties and address issues if needed."

Cheryl Fallick of the Hoboken Fair Housing Association wrote on social media, "Public safety matters, but so does the process by which our laws are made. We need to get this right, not rush it through."

Patch will update this story if more information is available. See prior updates below.

Prior Reporting

In a public safety alert sent around 9 a.m., the city said, "Please avoid the 500 block of Garden Street. Residents are advised to use alternate routes."

Just before 10 a.m., a Hoboken public safety spokesperson told Patch that around 9 a.m., police responded to reports of "a disturbance" on the 500 block of Garden Street.

"Due to this being an active investigation, residents are advised to avoid the area," she noted.

The spokesperson clarified around 10:30 a.m. that Garden Street was closed from Fifth to Seventh streets, and Sixth Street was closed from Bloomfield Street to Park Avenue.

Just before 1 p.m., streets reopened. The spokesperson said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office would handle further inquiries, and the investigation is continuing.

Patch has reached out and will update this story when more information is available.

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