Digital Divide

As the City of Newark continues to make adjustments in Social Distancing amidst ongoing COVID-19 Public Health and Safety issues, the Newark Public Safety Collaborative, with one of its key Stakeholders- the Newark Community Street Team (NCST)/South Ward Public Safety Roundtable, have been working diligently to address concerns of a "Digital Divide." Our discussions on “remote engagement” led to a deeper analysis, to check in with parts of the community, seeing how they currently access information and methods used to cope with stay at home restrictions. Through this process, we learned a vast number of community members, needing assistance, may not have access to services or resources and remain inaccessible through technology.  

With this knowledge, NPSC, with its partner NCST, sought to strengthen our neighborhoods, by identifying gaps.  A survey was developed, and administered, utilizing existing NCST outreach efforts, in (3) three different housing units, located within Newark’s Central and West Wards. In addition, as part of a data informed community engagement effort, NPSC has also created digital meeting spaces, through platforms (i.e.- WebEx, ZOOM, Social Media) available to our community partners, interested in facilitating meetings and workshops. These platforms, inclusive of community/faith based organizations, residents, service providers, law enforcement and stakeholders, are centered on information, resources, community empowerment and public safety.