CNBNews

Regarding the rumor that I am in favor of the privatization of  the Camden  County Jail.

The Camden County Mayors Association does not and cannot speak for individual Mayors, it can however express support or non-support of issues affecting the County as a whole through a majority of membership vote.

The reported vote to support privatization by the Mayors Association does not reflect my opinion as it relates to this matter.

It has only been since late November 2009 that I first heard any mention of a plan and since that time, I have received information from both the Camden County Board of Freeholders in support of the privatization and the Correction Officers Union who are opposed to privatization.

I have reviewed both arguments and have become enlightened as to the magnitude of this endeavor and the possible implications it could have upon Countywide Public Safety.

With a background of 26 years Law Enforcement experience behind me and three years as Mayor of an affected municipality behind me, I continue as I always have, to concern myself with the future of Public Safety, not only in my community but surrounding communities and across the State as well.

The incarceration of violent and dangerous criminals is a necessary and lawful need of every society since the beginning of civilization and governments of every level, Federal, State, County and Municipal are charged with the inherent responsibility to provide this service in the safest and most professional manner.

My experiences throughout my career and my conversations over the years with Correction Officers from all over the State, paint a clear picture for the need to provide our citizenry with professional, trained, law enforcement officers to handle what is, the most dangerous and physically and psychologically demanding task in the Law Enforcement profession, working in a Jail.

With questions still to be answered and alternatives to be investigated, I do not support Privatization of the Camden County Jail as the only solution to this dilemma and I will continue to educate myself in a timely manner so I can become more informed on the issue.

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