| Photo by Metin Ozer on Unsplash
JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Jersey City Mayor’s Office, the Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL), and the Jersey City Police Department (JCPD) have announced a new four‑part community reading and discussion initiative designed to strengthen trust and deepen dialogue between residents and law enforcement. The program, Books & Badges: A Reading and Discussion Series, will run from September 23 to December 17, 2026, and is open to Jersey City residents ages 15 and older.
The series aims to bring together teens, adults, library staff, and police officers for guided conversations rooted in shared reading. Organizers say the goal is to create a respectful space where participants can explore themes such as leadership, identity, communication, public service, belonging, and community connection.
“Building a safer community takes more than policing alone,” said Mayor James Solomon. “Our residents are among our most important public safety partners, but that depends on the level of trust and strong relationships established between the community and our police officers. Books & Badges is a unique platform to bring residents and officers together for conversations centered around some difficult issues and how we can address them.”
A Four‑Part Series Designed for Honest Dialogue
Lt. Collin Congleton of the Jersey City Police Department and Tony Williams, MSW, manager of JCFPL Social Services, will co-facilitate the program. Both will guide participants through discussions that organizers acknowledge may be challenging — but necessary.
“We may have some difficult conversations, and that’s OK. In some cases, they’re long overdue,” said Lt. Congleton, who developed the new JCPD program. “Books & Badges is about creating opportunities for our officers and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and better understand one another’s perspectives. Through these open and honest conversations, we can work together to identify actionable steps that strengthen trust and improve police‑community relationships.”
Jersey City Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose echoed the importance of creating spaces where residents and officers can learn from one another. “Strong relationships between police officers and the communities they serve are built through open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen,” Ambrose said. “Books & Badges will give residents and officers an opportunity to learn from one another, better understand different perspectives, and build much‑needed trust.”
Schedule and Featured Reading
The Books & Badges series will take place across multiple JCFPL locations from September 23 through December 17, 2026, with dates available on the library’s event calendar.
Participants are encouraged to read selections chosen to spark thoughtful discussion. The library’s recommended titles include:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Birmingham’s First Black in Blue by Leroy Stover
Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny et al.
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger
These books will be available at all JCFPL branches for checkout ahead of each session.
A Community‑Centered Approach to Public Safety
The initiative reflects Jersey City’s broader effort to strengthen police‑community relationships through transparency, shared learning, and collaboration. By grounding conversations in literature, organizers hope to create common reference points that help residents and officers navigate difficult topics with empathy and curiosity.
Residents can register through the Jersey City Free Public Library’s event calendar and are encouraged to attend all four sessions to engage with the series’ themes and discussions fully.
