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For Immediate Release:
For Further Information:
July 3, 2012

Office of The Attorney General

- Jeffrey S. Chiesa, Attorney General
Media Inquiries-
Peter Aseltine
or Paul Loriquet

609-292-4791


Citizen Inquiries-

609-292-4925
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Attorney General and Atlantic City Police Department Announce Deployment of 20 New Special Police Officers in Tourism District under Clean & Safe Initiative
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ATLANTIC CITY – Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and Atlantic City Public Safety Director Will Glass today announced the deployment of 20 additional police officers who are assigned to the Tourism District to provide enhanced police presence and safety as part of Governor Christie’s “Clean & Safe” initiative in Atlantic City.

Attorney General Chiesa and Director Glass made the announcement at the police substation on the Boardwalk, in the presence of many of the 20 new officers, who graduated last week from the police academy as special law enforcement officers – officers who have full police powers, but who are paid by the hour and are subject to certain restrictions. They were joined by regular bike patrol officers and tactical team members assigned to the Tourism District by the police department, as well as casino security guards and a group of the 60 “ambassadors” employed by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to provide guidance to visitors and serve as added eyes and ears for security.

“These 20 new special law enforcement officers will mean optimal police presence in the Tourism District,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “Before the Clean & Safe initiative began, visitors said they wanted to see a stronger police presence in Atlantic City. Today, we answer that call. Wherever people go around the Boardwalk and casinos, day or night, they will find their path well-lighted and shared by officers and ambassadors who are there to guide them and ensure their safety.”

“The additional officers we are hiring and the productive partnerships we have established with state, county and federal law enforcement agencies are increasing our capacity to combat crime and address quality of life issues with greater flexibility and effectiveness throughout Atlantic City,” said Director Glass. “These efforts represent a win-win for residents and visitors to the city.”

The Atlantic City Police Department will deploy six to eight of the special law enforcement officers per shift in the Tourism District. The district is already patrolled by more than 50 regular officers of the Atlantic City Police Department who are trained for bike or ATV duty. In addition, the police department has a 10-member “Tac Team” tactical unit that conducts quality-of-life enforcement patrols in and around the Tourism District. The casinos have approximately 34 security personnel who conduct safety patrols around the casino perimeters, including bike patrols.

The CRDA ambassadors, whose ranks have expanded from 22 to 60 under the Clean & Safe initiative, combine the roles of roaming concierge and watchful guardian. Each day, 20 or more ambassadors, wearing neon yellow for visibility, are stationed on the Boardwalk and Pacific and Atlantic Avenues from 6 a.m. until midnight (2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). They carry phones to rapidly report any public safety issues to police. The first phase of lighting upgrades on the Boardwalk added retro-style, high-intensity street lights that illuminate the night with the brilliance of daylight from New Jersey to Albany Avenues. The lighting creates an atmosphere of safety, where people can see and be seen by the many officers, guards and ambassadors watching over them.

Other “Clean & Safe” Enhancements in Atlantic City

The augmented police presence is part of a comprehensive package of safety and quality-of-life enhancements being implemented under Governor Christie’s Clean & Safe initiative, including:

Atlantic City Violent Crime Task Force - Comprised of members of the Division of Criminal Justice, State Police, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic City Police Department, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Parole Board, the mission of the Task Force is to target organized criminal groups operating throughout the city and beyond.

Eyes on Atlantic City - The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, working with the ACPD, has mapped over 450 privately-owned surveillance systems in the city and is making data from those systems available to law enforcement. The project has already succeeded in capturing footage of criminal activity for law enforcement.

Surveillance & Communication Enhancements - The Division of Gaming Enforcement, in partnership with the casinos, has audited existing casino surveillance systems and public safety resources, including closed-circuit TV systems for casino parking garages and perimeters. Public and private partners are working to fill in the gaps in a citywide network of surveillance cameras, with initiatives targeting the Gateway region and Boardwalk. The goal is to develop a consolidated system of surveillance and public safety communication. The CRDA has earmarked $3.5 million dollars to support ACPD technology enhancements.

Tip411 - The ACPD will soon launch a new crime fighting tool, funded by the CRDA, which will give citizens the ability to provide immediate, anonymous tips and intelligence to police. “Tip 411” is a privately operated, Internet-based system that enables the public to text message a tip to police, and allows police to respond, creating a two-way confidential “chat.”

Outreach at the Beach Initiative - Since December, the ACPD, in conjunction with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Jewish Family Services, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and the Veterans Administration, have implemented the Outreach at the Beach initiative to screen homeless and transient individuals in the Tourism District, connect them with social services, and, when possible, return them to their families or other support networks.

Zero Tolerance Crackdown - Since January 2011, the ACPD and the State Police’s Casino Gaming Bureau have implemented a “zero tolerance” policy regarding prostitution, making hundreds of arrests in anti-prostitution details in casino lounges and along Pacific Avenue.

Demolition of Abandoned Buildings/Clean Parks & Neighborhoods – About two dozen abandoned buildings have been demolished or are slated for demolition thanks to efforts spearheaded by the CRDA. In addition, the ACPD has worked closely with the CRDA and Special Improvement District (SID) to clean up the Tourism District and surrounding neighborhoods, including parks and playgrounds. The SID, assisted by the City Department of Public Works, has established effective protocols to respond to police alerts regarding issues related to trash, graffiti or other problems. Up to 40 locations weekly are addressed and graffiti removed by graffiti wipes, power washing or painting over the areas.

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