>> Funding for NJ Spotlight News provided by members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great.

And RWJ Barnabas health, let's be healthy together.

Briana: Tonight, the Attorney General issues a new policy on police use of force during mental health encounters as the family of a Jersey City man killed by law enforcement takes legal action.

>> We called for help, you know?

And they sent armed police officers who broke down his door, shocked, and killed him.

People have to be held accountable.

Briana: Congressman Andy Kim and Senator Cory Booker take center stage on night three of the Democratic national convention amid ongoing Cease Fire protests and uncommitted New Jersey delegate speaks out.

>> Unfortunately, they have made their voices loud and clear that they do not believe.

Briana: Big shoes to fill after Congressman Bill Pascrell.

Guns down, gloves up.

A new Summer boxing program in Trenton aims -- aimed to use -- give kids a fighting chance.

>> It is an emotional support group in terms of friends.

Briana: NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Good evening and thank you for joining us.

We begin with a few key stories we are following.

New Jersey's Attorney General issued new rules today on how police officers use force, specifically when dealing with situations involving barricaded subjects who are frequently in a behavioral or mental health crisis.

The new policy requires mental health professionals to join with officers during negotiations by offering guidance or by communicating with the person who is barricaded.

It also directs first responding officers to wait for appropriate resources to arrive and not force a resolution among several other items.

The Attorney General's directives will take effect in October and according to the office it comes after more than a year of studies in meetings with law enforcement agencies across the country.

It also follows the tragic death of a 25-year-old Fort Lee woman who was fatally shot by police in her apartment last month, during an apparent mental health crisis.

The family of the victim, Victoria Lee, issued their first public statement since police body camera footage was released of the incident and said in part they remain in shock and grief following the events, but are also appalled by the lack of discretion with which the police handled victorious mental health crisis.

A Jersey City family who lost a loved one to a police involved shooting a year ago this week filed a lawsuit against the department.

Ted Goldberg will have more on that later in the show.

An update on a story we have been following for months now.

Rutgers University is banning encampments on campus, after months of volatility following pro-Palestinian protests.

The University issued new rules around its free expression policy, which now prohibits encampments where students set up tents in ongoing protests.

Students will need to get permission from the University to hold demonstrations and it puts limits on where they can set it up.

The move comes as Rutgers tries to get a better handle on potential campus protests this fall after the University had to postpone final exams for roughly 1000 students last spring due to threats of escalations from protesters in the encampment.

That came to an end following an agreement between organizers and university leadership, but Rutgers was later criticized for meeting some of the demands and was summoned to a congressional hearing to defend how the administration handled protests.

And, Jersey takes center stage on night three of the Democratic national convention in Chicago.

Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Andy Kim both had prominent speaking slots in the evening's lineup.

Booker is a cochair for the convention and had several opportunities to talk to the crowd gathering in the session, then serving as the MC by introducing other speakers.

He used his moments on stage to criticize Donald Trump and Bayeux mosh to the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, then energize the crowd in a speech about hope leading the audience in chants of I believe in America.

>> I believe in America where we share common ground and common cause and one common destiny.

If you believe in America, if you love in America, then you will work for America.

And when we work together, when we stand together, when we organize together, when we vote together, I will tell you this, when we fight, we win.

Briana: Andy Kim, who is running for the seat now vacated by Bob Menendez, used his speech to talk about the January 6 Insurrection Act the Capitol, where he was famously photographed cleaning up glass and other debris in the Capitol Rotunda a day after the riots.

He urged Democrats to heal America for the next generation.

>> What I learned on January 6 is that all of us, all of us are caretakers for our great Republic.

We can heal this country, but only if we try.

Many of you are doing your part through your voices and your votes.

Always remember this chaos that we see, it doesn't have to be this way.

Briana: Among the other speakers were parents of an Israeli American hostage kidnapped by Hamas putting the Israel Hamas war on the forefront of delegates' minds.

For the 30 uncommitted delegates, the war is the key reason for their presence as they work to include a call spire in Gaza to be part of the DNC platform.

One of those delegates is from New Jersey who joins me now from Chicago.

Thank you for taking a few minutes.

Let me start with this news that you and the fellow uncommitted delegates received, which is that the folks at the DNC have denied your request to have an American Palestinian speak to the convention.

>> Absolutely.

Around 8:00 p.m. yesterday evening as I was inside the United Center at the DNC, I received word from the cofounder of the uncommitted movement that the DNC has rejected our request to have a Palestinian-American speaker highlight the Palestinian cause on the DNC's mainstage.

Briana: So talk to me about the reaction and how you all are processing that?

Because it seems anyway at least from those of us at home that many of the demands, requests of the uncommitted delegates have gone unmet.

Ahmad: You know, it was very disturbing to say the least.

It is disgusting when you have a Democratic party continue to highlight that they are the party of inclusion, that all are welcome in the party and we are under one big tent, so when we were informed that a Palestinian-American voice will not be allowed at the DNC, we were extremely angered by this decision.

In response, myself and many of the other delegates, we decided we are going to step outside of the convention and there was a sit in that began yesterday at 8:00 p.m. and it is still ongoing to this moment and the request is simple.

We are asking for a simple request of a few minutes to be able to discuss the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian suffering that has been ongoing for the past 10 months in front of the public on the DNC stage.

Unfortunately, they have made their voice is and clear that they do not believe that Palestinian voices should be heard.

Briana: So, what do you see in what do your fellow uncommitted delegates see as your role now that that decision has been made?

Kamala Harris is poised to accept the party's nomination.

There was a family, parents of an American Israeli hostage who spoke last night, what do you see as your role being there at this point?

Ahmad: Our role is still remaining the same.

We are calling to an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

We are calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

Not another bomb sent to support Netanyahu's genocidal campaign in Gaza.

It is time for the Democratic Party to change their policy and adopt a policy which the vast majority of Democrats, the vast majority of Americans support, and that is for an arms embargo.

Not another bomb to kill Palestinian children.

Briana: If these demands are going unmet and unheard, do you feel like maybe the convention was not the right Avenue to try to get at this just given how it has played out so far?

Ahmad: No, I don't believe so.

I think this is the correct Avenue and I think we are going to remain steadfast in our commitment to making our voices heard.

We are going to continue to demand that the Harris campaign adopt a policy shift and adopt policy change.

No more empty words, we need action.

There are 70 days until the election and I can tell you that myself and the other delegates that are here that are uncommitted delegates, we want to support the Democratic Party moving into November.

But until we see Vice President Harris in the Democratic Party adopt positions that are felt and are near and dear to the hearts of many in the party and are supported by the vast majority of the Democratic Party, we are going to voice our concerns and our opinions and see how the next couple of months go leading up to the election.

Briana: One of two uncommitted delegates from New Jersey, one of 30 total at the DNC, thank you so much for joining us.

Ahmad: thank you very much, I appreciate the platform.

Briana: Democrats are still processing the loss of Congressman Bill Pascrell who died Wednesday at the age of 87.

But as they mourn, they are also facing an incredibly tight timeline to pick his successor.

The deadline for the party to submit replacement nominees is exactly one week from today on August 29.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has more on what happens next.

>> He is a Jersey legend.

He is a powerful pugilist, a prince of Patterson.

Brenda: Senator Cory Booker spoke about New Jersey's loss, Congressman Bill Pascrell who had served his ninth District constituents and his home city with fierce devotion for almost three decades, passing away at the age of 87.

>> He never forgot where he came from in Patterson.

>> That is why he is a true legend, a true.

Public servant, that fighter.

He really was your friend.

Brenda: Lieutenant governor says he offered gentle support as she pursued her own political career in Passaic County, but minced no words on the congressional battlefield.

As a member of the Ways and Means committee, he relentlessly pursued Donald Trump's tax records and suffered no pushback.

>> He said that I was being intemperate.

Being lectured on civility from someone who works with a president, President Trump, is like taking chivalry lessons from Jack the Ripper.

Brenda: He Champion funding for firefighter safety, treatment for traumatic brain injury, and laws governing tax fairness.

During the recent debate over congestion pricing, a prickly pass Grauel threatened New York officials.

>> We are not the MTA's ATM.

If they don't know that by now, they are going to learn it.

Brenda: Bill Pascrell loved his city and got President to declare the Great Falls is National Park.

He happily gave rollcall a tour of his office and he absolutely adored baseball and intimidating rivals.

>> I use to eat a little dirge before every game to try to scare the other team, that guy is totally nuts.

Brenda: He had no intention of it -- retiring in that rollcall interview nine years ago.

>> I know I'm on the downside of the mountain, tell my wife.

I don't even think about retiring.

The moment I begin to think about it, that is when I know I've got to get out.

Brenda: It has left County committee member scrambling even as they grieve his passing.

They face and August 29 deadline, mere days to fill the suddenly vacant space for Pascrell's seat on this ballot.

>> You are not going to see the party miss this deadline.

There will be a convention between now and next week when the deadline hits.

Brenda: Assemblyman Benjamin Wimberly said his hat will be in the ring.

>> As long as he was here and wanted to be the Congressman, I was there to support him and his family.

I didn't waver from that.

You know, part of my heart is now her -- hurt, but like you said, I think he would be, time to get the game plan and get moving.

You know, I will at some point officially I will enter the race.

Brenda: Other possible contenders include the Patterson Mayor, who offered condolences to Pascrell's family, but hasn't yet set if he will run his seat -- for his seat.

Nor has an assembly woman who has also expressed prior interest.

Committee members must quickly choose a candidate.

>> This is not a special election situation.

Because there is so little time left in the remainder of his term, we are in all likelihood not talking about a situation where the governor would call a special election to fill the remainder of the term.

Ted: Brenda: That is what is happening in them neighboring 10th district, where voters replaced the late Congressman Donald Payne, but Pascrell's seat will remain empty until the next Congress is sworn in.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: As we mentioned at the top of the show, the family of Andrew Jerome Washington filed a lawsuit this week against Jersey City, alleging the police officers who responded to his mental health crisis last year failed to follow standard de-escalation techniques, alleging much like the family of Victoria Lee, that his death could have been avoided if officers had taken a different approach.

Ted Goldberg reports.

>> They robbed us of that opportunity just to see him again.

He had done this for nearly 30 years.

Ted: Courtney Washington doesn't want people to remember her brother is someone who suffered a mental health crisis and was killed by police.

>> He had a full life, he had girlfriends, he dated, he had jobs, he spent time with family, he was a big part of our lives.

Ted: Almost a year ago, the Washington family called a mental health hotline when he was suffering through mental health event.

>> You are not in trouble, you are not under arrest.

Ted: The response is subject to a lawsuit filed by his family.

They allege the Jersey City Police Department did not do enough to de-escalate the situation, which led to police knocking down his door and shooting Drew when he stepped forward with a knife.

>> We called for help and they sent armed police officers broke down his door, shot, and killed him.

People have to be held accountable.

>> There was no reason for them to break down the door when they did and it violated basic principles of de-escalation.

When they should have waited, they should have called a mental health professional.

Ted: The lawsuit names as defendants, Jersey City, Hudson County, Jersey City Medical Center, RWJ Barnabas health, and 11 officers and EMT's.

>> From the beginning of this entire incident, the Jersey City Police Department officers violated the basic principles set out nationally and by the state of New Jersey for how to interact with someone experiencing mental health symptoms.

>> He is not bad, he is not evil, but he was sick.

But that did not make them any less dangerous unfortunately to those officers at that time.

Ted: The day after the shooting, leaders and Jersey City defended how the police responded.

>> When you look at the footage, you would be hard-pressed to say we could have taken a different approach.

They arrived at the scene based on the medical center's advice, they went to the door and communicated with Mr. Washington for close to an hour.

>> There was kind of a mistaken impression I think that we can bring psychiatrists to all of these jobs and have them talk to the person.

We can only introduce an unarmed civilian into this job if the area is secure.

Ted: an unarmed civilian is a big part of a ride together, a statewide initiative that pairs mental health officials with police to respond to certain 911 calls.

Jersey City is not a member, but they are applying for a million dollars grant to expand social services for people suffering mental health events.

The grant comes from the sea Brooks Washington act, a law named for Drew and najee sea Brooks.

>> A therapeutic crisis response team, but also an expansion of what we do with licensed social workers and therapeutic services in Jersey City for continuing the follow-up.

.

Brenda: Pam Johnson wrote the grant application.

The city was rejected during the first phase of funding when the grant was written by someone else.

>> We are here to prevent something happening to where this is escalated and something that would happened to Andrew Washington and najee seabrooks.

>> it could bring about change and that would be important for our family and for the next family that has to make that call.

Ted: The city told us in a statement that could not contact -- comment on active litigation.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Ted Goldberg.

Briana: And in our spotlight on business report tonight, stocks slid today with tech leading the losses as investors turned focus to a key speech from the Fed Chair Friday.

Here is how the markets closed.

♪ ♪ And finally tonight, you might think of Boxing as a tough, aggressive sport, but a group in Trenton sees it as a solution to gun violence.

The guns down, gloves of summer Boxing program is a free initiative that teaches kids in the state's capital city more than just how to protect themselves in the street.

It offers lessons of discipline, emotional regulation, and of course alternatives to violence.

Our mental health writer Bobby Brier stopped by the boxing club that hosts the summer camp and shared what he saw.

Bobby, this is such a unique alternative to looking at violence.

Why did these folks tell you they found it works?

Bobby: Yes, salvation and social justice know that the boxing program is in its third year and have pointed to not only the physical benefits of teaching the art of Boxing through the physical techniques, but they said that this works because the lessons outside of the ring matter most.

Mental health, emotional regulation, there is a self-confidence and self-discipline aspect as well that have proven to be beneficial for kids not just during the weeks during the program, but for well afterward.

Briana: managing those complicated emotions and how that mirrors some complicated situations they might find themselves in.

Because this targets kids who are in the teen years or what age group?

Bobby: That's right, kids between the ages of seven and 17.

They have seen a growth in the program over the years.

The first summer, salvation and social justice in 20, 25 kids enrolled.

Now they have about 45 kids as of late July with a capacity to host 50.

It has got a lot of wind in recent years and I think more so with kids being out of school, it gives kids a place to go and to learn from mentors and coaches that they really look up to.

Briana: What did you find when you went and visited and actually talked to the kids who are participating?

Mental health struggles affect every age, but definitely when kids are exposed to trauma like gun violence, it has a different set of lasting effects.

Ted: Absolutely, the kids spoke to the fact that when they started in the program, they were maybe hesitant to join, but soon after maybe the first time they did this, they were eager to go back not just for the first year, but the second year.

I spoke to one child who spoke about how they had one M.V.P.

of the program and was excited to try to duplicate that effort this time around.

It is not only physical benefits, but an emotional support group in terms of friends.

When kids are back in school, they recognize each other from the boxing program and are able to form those kind of friendships and relationships for years to come.

Briana: Even if they are not necessarily friends so to speak, they don't need to be enemies, I guess.

Bobby: Exactly.

Just because you are on the opposite side of an issue does not mean you have to be an enemy.

This show teaches respect for each other and the self.

It teaches the power of mentorship and how coaches and mentors from Trenton are really giving back to kids day in and day out not just now, but in the months to come.

Briana: When you look at this end if you consider gun violence is a public health crisis, which it has been deemed, how does this chip away at that?

This is a small subset of kids, but the problem is widespread.

Bobby: I think a couple different ways.

One of this is really risk -- relationship building.

When you have a coach or mentor who has been through a similar situation, they can talk about how to avoid those situations.

Exercise in and of itself is really a form of preventative mental health.

Numerous studies through the years have shown the physical benefits of exercising and how that helps to reduce anxiety, depression, and combat some of those lasting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.

We know there is the emotional benefit, but also the research and the physical evidence to back this up and say these types of programs are truly beneficial for the long-term.

Briana: I enjoyed both your writing and the video that our colleague Genesis shot to go along with it.

Bobby: Thank you.

Briana: That is going to do it for us tonight.

A quick reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen to us anytime.

For the entire team here at NJ Spotlight News, thanks for being with us tonight.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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♪ ♪