PLAINFIELD — The Plainfield City Council has approved two key measures aimed at strengthening the city’s response to flooding and tackling blighted, crime-prone properties — steps local officials say reflect a proactive approach to public safety and infrastructure.
During its business meeting on Tuesday, October 14th, the council voted to authorize the installation of flood-monitoring cameras to bolster the city’s emergency warning system and passed a resolution to investigate several neglected lots for redevelopment. The sites include one property linked to more than 800 reported police incidents over recent years.
“We can no longer act surprised when climate change turns storms into disasters,” said Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. “Let’s be clear about who is truly responsible: the fossil fuel industry has known for decades that their products cause climate change. They have known this all along. They chose to lie, they chose to lobby, while communities like ours paid the price in lives, property damage, and rising costs. This cannot continue. That’s why I call on all of us to support the New Jersey Climate Superfund Act — which will ensure corporate polluters, not taxpayers, pay for the damage they have caused.”
Flood-Monitoring Cameras for Early Warning
The move to expand flood surveillance comes in the wake of two deadly storms that struck Plainfield this July, leaving homes, vehicles, and businesses under water. City officials say the new system will integrate flood-monitoring cameras with a network of outdoor warning sirens and data alerts to better inform residents during severe weather.
“Having two storms in such short succession meant that we couldn’t sit back and assume it was never going to happen here again,” said Chief of Staff and Communications Director Jazz Clayton-Hunt. “This is about ensuring that residents have real-time information and enough time to take action when flooding threatens their neighborhoods.”
The city’s Department of Public Works and Office of Emergency Management will oversee the installation and monitoring of the devices, which will be placed in low-lying areas known for frequent flooding. Data from the cameras will feed into a centralized dashboard to help emergency responders assess conditions across the city in real time.
The initiative is partly funded through county and state grants supporting stormwater management and resilience projects.
Redevelopment of Blighted, High-Crime Properties
In a separate vote, the council approved a resolution designating several underused or abandoned properties for redevelopment, including one lot described by officials as a chronic crime hotspot. According to city records shared at the meeting, the location has been the site of roughly 842 police incidents, ranging from assaults to narcotics complaints.
The redevelopment investigation is the first step toward declaring the sites as “areas in need of redevelopment,” a legal status that allows the city to recruit private developers, offer incentives, and establish new land-use standards.
“It’s been frustrating living near that lot for years,” said local resident Tasha Freeman. “Seeing the city finally take action gives me hope that our streets will be safer and that the neighborhood can start looking like a place we’re proud to call home.”
City officials said the targeted properties will undergo environmental reviews and public hearings before redevelopment plans move forward. Several parcels across Plainfield have already been designated for redevelopment this year as part of Mayor Mapp’s broader revitalization agenda.
Community Impact and Next Steps
Residents and business owners near the identified lots say they welcome the city’s renewed focus on long-term safety. “Every time it rains, that empty corner floods and we’re stuck worrying about damage and safety,” said longtime Plainfield resident Jamal Henderson. “The city stepping in gives us hope that something better is coming — cleaner streets, safer sidewalks, and maybe a place where new businesses can thrive.”
City administrators said both the flood-monitoring and redevelopment efforts align with Plainfield’s broader goals of resilience, sustainability, and equitable development. Officials emphasized that the measures are designed to protect all residents, particularly those living in areas most vulnerable to flooding or crime.
“The two issues are connected,” Clayton-Hunt said. “When you invest in infrastructure and community redevelopment, you’re investing in public safety.”
Looking Ahead
The flood-monitoring cameras are expected to be installed in phases beginning later this year. Redevelopment designations for the identified properties could be finalized by early 2026, pending Planning Board review and council approval.
As the city works to implement both initiatives, Plainfield leaders say they are determined to maintain transparency and community input throughout the process.
“These resolutions are not just about fixing problems,” Mapp said. “They’re about building a stronger, safer Plainfield for generations to come.”