I processed into the Army out of the Newark MEPS. Their hotel of choice for those staying overnight for processing, was the Royal Inn in East Orange. On our floor at night, were 3 or 4 MPs, I jokingly asked one if they were here to make sure no one AWOL. He told me that he wasn’t there to keep us in, he was there to keep the Section 8’ers out.
I’m sure; East Orange is bad news - even less jobs than Newark. It is sad, because when you see some of the old homes there you realize it was once a wealthy suburb of a flourishing Newark. Now that money is out a few towns further west...