NORTH TRENTON Environmental Justice

Team Faculty Mentor:  Diane C. Bates

Student Researchers:  Tamaria Green and Regine Saintilien

This summer Tamaria Green and Regine Saintilien continued a study of North Trenton residents and their experience with a contaminated construction site on the grounds of Jefferson Elementary and Martin Luther King Middle Schools.  The multi-faceted case involves the construction of a Kindergarten through 8th grade school that was halted in 2005 when contaminated soil found on the site.  Demolition of the half-completed school and removal of the cancer causing contaminants on the site was not completed until 2007.  North Trenton students do not have a school in their community to attend, and are currently attending schools elswhere in Trenton.

The research team conducted interviews, read newspaper accounts, researched topics such as urban schools, the Abbott vs. Burke decision, affordable housing, and gang violence.  Interviews were conducted with representatives of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton’s school district, residents, and former students of Trenton public schools.  The research assistants attended a school board meeting and the school district’s Facility Advisory Board public meeting.  They also sifted through data which reported the ownership trends in North Trenton. Preliminary findings indicate that North Trenton, like many urban settings around the country, face the most disheartening challenges in the community, education, government unemployment, poverty, housing, and gang/school violence.  The unfortunate case of MLK/Jefferson Elementary School construction only adds to the stresses of a troubled neighborhood like North Trenton.   

Personal Statement by Tamaria Green

Personal Statement by Regine Saintilien