Middlesex County is home to 25 municipalities and is the second most populated County in the state. The County is made up of a diverse demographic, rich in culture and religious diversity. 

In demonstrating a commitment to celebrating the diversity of our community and in protecting the safety of our residents, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is partnering with the Safe Place Program by providing signage and resources to Safe Place partners to assist victims of hate crime or harassment at no cost.   

The Safe Place Program is an initiative promoting safety and encouraging the reporting of all hate crimes to the local police. Members of the community can find a Safe Place by looking for the Safe Place sticker and each Safe Place partner provides victims of bias crimes, discrimination, or harassment with a safe environment, assistance with contacting local law enforcement, and a place to safely wait for help to arrive. 

The program is intended for anyone experiencing a bias crime, discrimination, or harassment – for example members of the LGBTQ+ or minority communities.

Law enforcement partners, together with local businesses, schools, and community organizations, designate locations in their communities as a Safe Places.

When someone is experiencing a bias crime, discrimination, or harassment, they can enter a participating Safe Place (local business, school, or community organization) for help and sanctuary.

The Safe Place partner will assist in contacting the police and allow the victim to stay safely on the premises until police arrive. 

The Safe Place logo is easily recognizable and will provide the victim with a safe environment, along with the support of the local community and law enforcement. 

Any local business, school, or community organization can participate in the Safe Place program. It is free to join, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office will provide free decals specifically designed to represent the municipality it is displayed in. The program is not designed for residential use.

To become a Safe Place member, employees or staff must abide by two mandates if a victim of any bias crime, discrimination, or harassment enters the premises:

• If a victim enters the premises, 911 must be called immediately.
• Once 911 is called, the victim must be allowed to remain on the premises in a public area until police arrive.

To become a Safe Place member, please contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at safeplace@co.middlesex.nj.us.

• The Safe Place decal is 4 by 6 inches and should be placed at the main public entrance of the premises. 
• The decal should be placed 3-5 feet off the ground.
• The decal must be easily visible to anyone walking past your location. 
• If the location is a school or organization, the decal should be placed in an area where the community member could seek refuge in a designated safe location and seek a police response and services. 

The Safe Place Program is intended to make our community a safer place for everyone regardless of who you are or where you are from.  The safety of the community is a priority.  The goals of this initiative are to enable a partnership between law enforcement and the community, to facilitate the reporting of hate crimes, and to allow victims to feel supported when seeking help and reporting a crime.  The MCPO will provide signage and resources to Safe Place partners to assist victims of hate crimes at no cost.