A city in Union County is trying a new initiative to bring community policing directly to a public housing complex.

The Plainfield Housing Authority is launching a new partnership with local police to mark the opening of the new Community Resource Center at the Joanne Hollis Gardens townhouse complex.

The goal is to build relationships between residents there, the housing authority and the police.

The city hopes it will allow officers to work closely with families to help improve their lives.

"Make sure we establish strong positive relationships between residents, law enforcement and the Housing Authority,” says Randall Wood, executive director of Housing Authority of Plainfield. “We all have to come together to work and continue to work collaboratively to get more done.”

The new center will have meeting spaces to serve at-risk kids, domestic violence victims and people struggling with drug use.