Community leader and public safety professional Rasheen “Pep” Peppers today

formally announced his candidacy for Newark Councilman-At-Large, pledging to serve every resident and every neighborhood across the city he proudly calls home.

Born and raised in Newark, Peppers has spent his career working to strengthen communities and improve public safety. Widely known as “Pep” throughout the city, he has built a reputation as a dedicated leader committed to addressing the real challenges facing Newark families.

Before leading Newark’s Partnership, Peppers had a distinguished career in law enforcement. His leadership roles included serving as Commander of Newark’s 5th Precinct, Commanding Officer of the Newark Fugitive Unit, and Assistant to the Public Safety Director. He also served as a Special Deputy with the United States Marshals Service, where he worked alongside federal and local partners to address violent crime.

Through these roles, Peppers developed a deep understanding of the systemic issues impacting communities, including poverty, gang violence, and educational instability. His commitment to community engagement led him to launch the grassroots initiative “Gangs vs. Literacy,” a program that uses art and real-life storytelling to encourage youth to choose education and opportunity over violence.

As Commander of the 5th Precinct, Captain Peppers implemented “Captain’s Corner,” an innovative community engagement initiative that brought police leadership directly into the neighborhoods they serve. Through these on-the-corner community meetings, Captain Peppers met residents where they live, creating a space for open dialogue while connecting community members with resources and real solutions to local issues. The initiative strengthened trust, improved communication, and ensured that public safety efforts were informed by the voices and needs of the community.

“As someone who was born and raised in Newark, I understand the challenges our communities face, but I also know the strength and resilience of our residents,” said Peppers. “My campaign is about serving every block, every ward, every resident, and every family. Together, we can continue building a safer, stronger Newark.”

Peppers is a proud graduate of West Side High School in Newark’s West Ward where he currently operates his non-profit organization. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies and a Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He and his wife are the proud parents of three children.