East Orange man was shot and killed in the city Monday night, authorities said.
East Orange man was shot and killed in the city Monday night, authorities said. (File photo) ORANGE -- Officials in the city are reacting to a homicide earlier this week that they say has prompted a "high alert."
"As a husband, a father and a neighbor, I share your concerns -- and your anger -- about the small group of criminals that have passed through our community," Mayor Dwayne Warren wrote in an email blast to residents Wednesday afternoon.
"We can not and will not surrender our streets to criminals."
In the note, Warren said the Monday night shooting death of 37-year-old Mazo F. Jones, of East Orange, was "gang violence."
"This week there was a fatal shooting in our city as a result of a gang dispute which started in another municipality," Warren wrote in the note.
"I have ordered our Acting Police Director to be on high alert against gang violence and deploy all uniformed police personnel on the street until further notice."
Essex County Prosecutor's Office Spokeswoman Katherine Carter declined to confirm that the homicide was tied to gang activity.
"It is too early to tell," Carter said.
Still, in his note, Warren said the city would be instituting immediate changes in reaction to the shooting, including a 10 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors and increased police traffic stops, check points, and camera surveillance.
City officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the note.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
