Somerset County Expands Community Police Alliance Program to Bound Brook

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County introduced its newest Community Police Alliance Coordinator (CPAC), Victor Flores-Lopez, today at a Meet-and-Greet event in the Bound Brook Municipal Courtroom with community, faith, police, and elected leaders. Flores-Lopez is a bi-lingual licensed social worker (LSW), who will partner with the local police department to identify individuals and families in need of mental health, substance use, and other support services to reduce law enforcement interaction for non-criminal related incidents.

“We are thrilled to be expanding the Community Police Alliance to Bound Brook, and to provide both local law enforcement and residents with needed resources,” said Somerset County Commissioner Paul Drake, liaison to the Human Services Department. “Dameon Stackhouse has done an amazing job building CPAC in Bridgewater, and with his leadership I am confident Victor will have a positive impact on Bound Brook as well.”

Flores-Lopez is a licensed social worker with a master's degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to assisting children, families, and communities in need of mental health and addiction services. His experience spans various settings, including schools, nonprofit organizations, and individual and family counseling.

The Somerset County CPAC program places a LSW in selected municipalities to partner with local police departments and community leaders. The LSW works with law enforcement to identify individuals and families in need of mental health, substance use, and other support services to reduce law enforcement interaction for non-criminal related incidents. By improving the living situation of residents and families before they reach a crisis point, the Community Police Alliance focuses on reducing harm to the public, saving law enforcement resources, and creating a better community for everyone.

“Bound Brook is proud to be the second community to join Somerset County’s Community Police Alliance, and our police and community will benefit greatly from the additional support,” said Bound Brook Council member Dominic Longo. “As a retired New Jersey State Trooper, I know firsthand the burdens put on our police that are beyond their law enforcement duties. Having a Licensed Social Worker like Victor to address substance use, mental health, and other issues that don’t need the justice system will significantly benefit our community.”

Flores-Lopez will receive, analyze, act upon, and follow up on referrals provided to him by the Bound Brook Police Department and residents based on their observations. He will offer referred individuals and families the information and support needed to take advantage of community services that address issues such as mental health and substance use, domestic violence, housing and food insecurity, childcare, and healthcare.

Bound Brook’s population is more than 50 percent of Hispanic descent according to the United States Census, with many residents speaking Spanish as their primary language at home. Flores-Lopez is fluent in Spanish, and following Stackhouse’s lead, will work with local Hispanic community, municipal and business leaders to become a well-known and trusted resource to ensure all residents have access to vital services.

“I am excited to support Bound Brook’s residents and police as the new Community Police Alliance Coordinator, and look forward to making a difference in the lives of local families and individuals,” said Flores-Lopez. “So often all that is needed to bring positive change to a situation is an open mind, knowledge of local resources, and regular follow up to be sure the help is delivered.”

Dameon Stackhouse, LSW, launched Somerset County’s Community Police Alliance program in 2021 as Somerset County’s Human Services Operations and Planning Division pilot program in partnership with the Bridgewater Police Department. Over the past two years Stackhouse coordinated and refined the program and will supervise the expansion to Bound Brook and additional communities as they come on board. Stackhouse and Flores-Lopez are both County employees, and work for the Department of Human Services under the leadership of Human Services Director Michael Frost.

Speakers at the meet and greet included County Commissioner Paul Drake, Bound Brook Councilman Dominic Longo, Bound Brook Police Chief Richard Colombaroni, United Methodist Church Pastor McWilliam Colon, Director of the Somerset County Department of Human Services Michael Frost, Somerset County CPAC Supervisor Dameon Stackhouse, Bound Brook CPAC Victor Flores-Lopez and Bound Brook Administrator Hector Herrera. Also attending was Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director Doug Singleterry.

Somerset County Human Services has received inquiries from numerous communities interested in participating in the Community Police Alliance and is currently working to identify next steps and securing resources to expand the program further.

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