Christina Freeman, a Jersey City police officer, is running for mayor of Jersey City. Candidate responses are in bold. Any questions left blank, will be marked with an asterisk.

Housing

1. Would you agree or disagree with this statement? “There is a housing shortage and building new housing helps make existing homes more affordable.”
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Disagree
   • Strongly Disagree
     
     In Jersey City, building new housing often drives property taxes up and contributes to rising rents, rather than lowering them. What is labeled as “affordable housing” is typically based on the Area Median Income (AMI) as determined by Census data. However, many Jersey City neighborhoods were undercounted in the Census, making the official median income figure inaccurate. As a result, affordability thresholds don’t reflect the reality for many working families, particularly in underserved communities. Income-based housing would be a better option for people who are looking to stay within Jersey City.
     
2. Would you agree or disagree with this statement? “Jersey City is seeing too much development and once I’m in office, I’d work to slow it down.”
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Disagree
   • Strongly Disagree
     
3. Would you agree or disagree with this statement? “I believe Downtown Jersey City is zoned for too much density. If elected to office, I would work to prevent more dense housing developments from being built Downtown even if such developments come with affordable housing and other community givebacks.”
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Disagree
   • Strongly Disagree
     
4. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “If elected to office, I would be reluctant to allow more private housing construction in Jersey City because I think developers earn too much profit.”
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Disagree
   • Strongly Disagree
     
5. Would you agree or disagree with this statement? “It is better to mandate affordability through policies like rent control than to increase total housing supply.”
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Disagree
   • Strongly Disagree
     
6. Should the city reform zoning to reduce parking requirements and allow the construction of more apartments near PATH and light rail stations?
   • Yes, it is good to encourage more people to live near mass transit without needing to own a car
   • No, it is important to create more parking near PATH and light rail stations
   • No, this would be a giveaway to developers
   • Yes, other (explain)
   • No, other (explain)
     
7. Do you support zoning and building code reforms citywide to reduce red tape around Floor Area Ratios, single staircase prohibitions, setbacks, and parking minimums that reduce the number of housing units built and drive up the costs of construction?
   • Yes
   • No
     
8. In Jersey City, backyard accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are allowed in low-density residential zones. Do you believe such ADUs should be allowed or prohibited?
   • Allowed
   • Prohibited
     
9. Would you support development projects like the 150 Bay Street proposal that would add 1,000 apartments – 150 of which are income-restricted affordable – community amenities, arts and studio space, and space for a new public school?
   • Yes
   • No
     
10. Affordable housing is expensive to build. How would you pay for affordable housing?
    • Force developers to absorb the costs
    • Use tax incentives like PILOT agreements
    • Direct subsidies from the city
    • Other (explain)
      
11. How would you increase the amount of income-restricted affordable housing units built?
    • Floor Area/Density Bonus
    • PILOT Agreements
    • Streamlined Approval Process
    • Other (Please explain)
    • Combination of the above (Please explain)
      
12. What cities do you look to for housing policy inspiration? And by what metrics do you gauge their policies to be a success?
    
    I’ll look to Newark for its work on community land trusts that give residents ownership and stability, and to Minneapolis for eliminating exclusionary zoning that restricted multi-family housing. Both demonstrate how reforms can expand access while mitigating displacement. I also consider Boston’s inclusionary housing policies, which link development directly to affordability. 
    
    I measure success by whether policies: 
    • Keep long-time residents in their communities without displacement.
    • Produce housing that is truly affordable for working families (not just tied to inflated regional AMI figures). 
    • Balance development with investments in schools, transit, and infrastructure. 
    • Increase equity across neighborhoods, not just Downtown.

Transit 

1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “In Jersey City, walking, biking, and riding mass transit should be incentivized to make it safer and easier to get around and reduce traffic.”
   • Strongly Agree
   • Agree
   • Disagree
   • Strongly Disagree
     
2. Do you support turning streets such as MLK and Bergen and Summit and Baldwin into one-way pairs that would create space for public service lanes –  lanes that would speed up public transit and emergency response, add 100 on-street parking spots, and eliminate dangerous left-turns across on-coming traffic?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If yes, where?
   • If no, why not?
     
     Summit – Yes. MLK and Bergen Avenue – No.
     
     There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that converting these corridors into one-way pairs would improve safety. In fact, in high-traffic, pedestrian-heavy areas like MLK and Bergen, such a change could increase safety hazards rather than solve them.
     
3. Do you support County Executive Craig Guy’s announcement to add bus rapid transit to JFK Boulevard?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If no, why not?
     
4. Bus routes often cross through multiple communities and delays in one part of the route can cascade to create service delays farther down the line. Do you believe any one neighborhood opposed to bus lanes should have a veto over public transit improvements that would benefit the entire city?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If yes, why?
     
     All parts of Jersey City are not created the same; some roadways are wider than others and can accommodate these bus lanes without causing other traffic or safety issues.
     
5. Would you rather lose on-street parking spaces for the creation of bus rapid transit and protected bike lanes or convert more streets into one-way pairs?
   • Lose on-street parking
   • Create one-way pairs
     
6. Would you support the city pursuing litigation against the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to stop the Turnpike widening in Jersey City?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If no, then why not?
     
7. What changes, if any, would you make to Jersey City’s current implementation of its on-demand ride share service through Via?
   
   Eliminate Via and create a city electric bus service.
   
8. Where would you like to see the Citibike station network expand to next in Jersey City? 
   
    I’m not interested in expanding Citi Bike.
   
9. Would you make a commitment to either bike, walk, or take public transit to work – like the majority of Jersey City residents – if elected to office?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If yes, what is your preferred method of commuting?
     
     No, for safety reasons, I will not be permitted to navigate the city in that fashion.
     
10. What is your grand vision for the future of transportation in and around Jersey City? Be as specific as you want.
    
    My vision is to build a self-sustaining and modern transportation system that serves residents equitably while reducing congestion and pollution. 
    
    First, I would pursue a Jersey City toll system where revenue collected is reinvested directly into local infrastructure projects, public transit improvements, and other critical city needs. This creates a dedicated funding stream for long-term upgrades without overburdening taxpayers. 
    
    Second, I would establish a Jersey City–owned electric bus line. This system would not only provide reliable, clean, and affordable public transportation but also create good-paying jobs for residents in operations, maintenance, and administration. By running our own city bus line, we can set policies that incentivize ridership, reduce traffic, and cut emissions.

Street Safety and Vision Zero

1. In 2018, Jersey City committed to a Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2026. In recent years, many streets have been redesigned to be safer and provide for transportation alternatives to automobiles. Do you support continuing Vision Zero efforts in Jersey City? How will you do so?
   
   Yes. I strongly support continuing Jersey City’s Vision Zero commitment. To meet the 2026 goal, we need to accelerate investments in safe street design, expand pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and increase community education around traffic safety. I would prioritize high-risk corridors for redesign, strengthen enforcement of speeding and reckless driving, and ensure new developments contribute to adjacent safety improvements. 
   
   Achieving Vision Zero will also require better coordination between the city, county, and state so projects move forward without delays. My approach would combine data-driven planning, public input, and equitable investment to make sure every neighborhood benefits from safer streets.
   
2. If you are currently in office, how have you supported Vision Zero efforts to redesign our streets for safety? If you are not in office, what has your participation been in working towards safer streets?
   
   I am not currently in the office, but as a police officer, I contribute to Vision Zero goals by enforcing traffic laws and writing citations for violations that endanger pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. My role enables me to directly address unsafe behavior on our streets while also raising awareness about the importance of adhering to traffic laws. This work complements the city’s broader efforts to make roads safer through design and infrastructure improvements.
   
3. If elected, would you support increasing the funding and capacity of the Department of Infrastructure to accelerate Vision Zero improvements, and how would you do so?
   
   *Better Blocks NJ Editor’s Note: No answer given
   
4. Do you support proven Vision Zero street safety improvements on all high-risk streets in Jersey City like curb extension, protected bike lanes, and eliminating conflicted left turns across traffic?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If no, why not?
     
5. Do you support lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour city wide?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If no, why not?
     
6. Would you support the implementation of speed and parking enforcement cameras, if able?
   • Yes
   • No
     
7. Would you be willing to fund safe street improvements and ease parking demand by increasing the cost of on-street parking in residential zones near PATH stations?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If yes, how much should an annual on-street parking permit cost?
     
     But I will ensure that the cars parked there are registered to Jersey City. If they are not, they will be towed at the owner’s expense to the city impound.
     
8. What would you do to curb traffic-related fatalities and injuries on Jersey City’s streets and why is your solution the most effective? Which streets would you like to see safety improvements on? 
   
   I will focus on a comprehensive traffic safety strategy that combines street redesign, enforcement, and community education. Measures such as traffic calming, curb extensions, improved crosswalks, and better lighting would slow vehicles and make streets safer for pedestrians. Enforcement of speeding, reckless driving, and illegal parking would strengthen these improvements, while community education campaigns would encourage safer driving habits.This approach is most effective because it addresses safety through infrastructure and awareness.
   
9. Do you support the city continuing to use new developments as an opportunity to fund or build adjacent pedestrian or bike safety improvements?
   • Yes
   • No
     
10. What cities do you look to for street safety inspiration? And by what metrics do you gauge their policies to be a success?
    
    I look to New York City, which has implemented large-scale Vision Zero programs, and Hoboken, which has made substantial progress on traffic calming in a smaller, densely populated city comparable to Jersey City.
    
    I measure success by metrics such as: 
    • Reduction in fatalities and serious injuries year over year.
    • Equitable investment in high-risk corridors and underserved neighborhoods. 
    • Public satisfaction and usage, meaning residents feel safer walking and driving.
    • Sustained results, not just temporary improvements.

Public Parks and Plazas

1. Some neighborhoods (such as Greenville and Journal Square) have less access to green space, parks and plazas than Downtown. How would you prioritize equitable investment in new and improved public spaces?
   
   I would prioritize equitable investment by focusing on new parks, plazas, and upgrades in neighborhoods like Greenville and Journal Square, which have historically had less access, ensuring that every part of Jersey City benefits from safe, accessible, and well-maintained public spaces. 
   
2. The Newark Pedestrian Plaza has been part of a major effort to transform streets into public places built for people. What changes would you make to the Newark Pedestrian Plaza?
   
   I do not have significant changes in mind at this time. However, I will consider creating a designated passage for bicyclists since riders frequently travel through the plaza. This adjustment would improve safety and reduce conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians while maintaining the plaza as a welcoming space for everyone.
   
3. Do you support keeping the Barrow Street portion of the Newark Pedestrian Plaza open to pedestrians and closed to traffic and building a playground for young children on the closed portion of Barrow?
   • Yes
   • No
   • If no, why not?
     
4. What other parts of the city would you suggest as a potential site for new (or expanded) pedestrian-only spaces?  
   
    Tringle Park on Old Bergen Road. Mallory Avenue Between Roosevelt and Clendenny Avenue
   
5. Will you commit to continuing Jersey City’s efforts to protect Liberty State Park from attempts to develop or commercialize the park?
   • Yes
   • No
     
6. After the revitalization of Liberty State Park is complete, will you commit to working with the Board of Education to revitalize the sports complex at Caven Point?
   • Yes
   • No
     
7. Would you be open to exploring if new developments can build new schools with on-site, multi-use outdoor fields for team sports and recreation?
   • Yes
   • No
     
8. Would you support the city using new developments as an opportunity to fund or build adjacent public pedestrian plazas or parks?
   • Yes
   • No
     
9. What plans do you have to increase the city’s tree canopy to reduce the urban heat island effect? 
   
   Create more green corridors and green open spaces, urban farming, and green infrastructure.
   
10. What would be your top priorities for the creation of more passive outdoor park space and active outdoor recreational facilities? 
    
    My priority would be to use the spaces we already have and empower the community to bring them to life by maximizing resources while creating vibrant and active spaces that reflect the needs of each neighborhood.