Jersey City Police Department: Youth Bureau – Jersey City, NJ

Protecting and Guiding Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Jersey City Police Department Youth Bureau is strategically located at 139 Cator Avenue, sharing the facility with the JCPD South District Precinct. This specialized division focuses on all police matters involving juveniles, blending law enforcement with community mentorship and intervention. The bureau’s primary mission is to ensure the safety of the city’s youth while working to divert at-risk minors away from the criminal justice system through education and engagement. Officers assigned here are specially trained to handle sensitive cases involving minors, including missing persons, truancy, and juvenile delinquency.

Key Responsibilities

The Youth Bureau operates with a distinct mandate separate from general patrol:

• Juvenile Aid: Investigating crimes committed by or against minors and processing juvenile arrests with a focus on rehabilitation where possible.
• Missing Persons: Coordinating rapid responses for runaway or missing children reports.
• Community Engagement: interacting with local schools and organizations to build trust between police and young residents.
• South District Station: As this office is housed within the South District station, it also serves as a general point of contact for residents in the Greenville and southern Jersey City areas to report crimes or seek assistance 24/7.

Visiting Information

The station is located on Cator Avenue near Ocean Avenue. As an active police precinct, the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, specific administrative appointments with Youth Bureau detectives may occur during standard business hours. The facility is secure, and visitors may be subject to search upon entry. It is a ”Safe Place” location for individuals in immediate danger to seek refuge.