Clean & Safe Initiative Working in AC
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
March 19, 2012 ATLANTIC CITY – The Christie Administration announced today that new partnerships and initiatives are leading to a cleaner and safer Atlantic City by providing a greater police presence, expanding the use of cutting-edge law enforcement technologies, and aggressively targeting quality-of-life issues.
The partnerships, devised under Governor Christie’s “Clean & Safe” initiative, involve state and county law enforcement agencies, as well as the casinos, working closely with the lead agency, the Atlantic City Police Department, to improve safety and security within the Tourism District and beyond. Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa made the announcement at Boardwalk Hall with representatives of the law enforcement agencies, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the Special Improvement District, the casino industry, and other key partners.
“Turning around Atlantic City’s gaming and tourism economy and developing it into a premier destination resort continues to be a vital commitment of this Administration,” said Governor Christie. "While the new Revel Casino and Hotel may be the most visible good news, there are so many other signs of significant progress occurring all around the Tourism District. The most tangible evidence is the collaboration and partnership of all stakeholders working side-by-side to help Atlantic City become the clean, safe and exciting tourism destination we’ve envisioned for our state.”
"A clean and safe Atlantic City is the key to an economic turnaround in the region. Through unprecedented teamwork involving the police department, the casinos, and other public and private partners, we are producing results that people can see and feel," said Attorney General Chiesa. "Our efforts to increase police presence, promote security using technology, and address quality-of-life issues are producing a welcoming environment where safety is the watchword."
The Clean & Safe initiatives announced today include the following:
Police Partnerships
- Increased presence of Atlantic City Police Department in Tourism District in the form of Tactical-Force, bike patrols and foot patrols
- 25 new Special Law Enforcement Officers
- Expanded Casino Security Patrols
- Atlantic City Violent Crime Task Force
- 60 Ambassadors assigned to Tourism District by CRDA to assist visitors and serve as “eyes & ears” for police
Technology Enhancements
- “Eyes on Atlantic City” charts growing network of security surveillance cameras which aid police in fighting crime
- Improved Boardwalk lighting
- Mutualink network allows law enforcement to connect to closed-circuit TV systems of casinos and provides for interoperable communication during emergencies
- Tip411 online site will allow for two-way confidential communication between public and law enforcement
Quality-of-Life Initiatives
- Zero tolerance crackdown on prostitution
- Coordination with Social Service agencies to address the homeless through ‘Outreach at the Beach” initiative
- Demolition of abandoned buildings in the Tourism District
- Cleaning parks and neighborhoods, including graffiti abatement
"The level of collaboration and cooperation between the law enforcement agencies working in and around Atlantic City is unprecedented,” said Atlantic City Police Chief Ernest Jubilee. “I can truly say that there is a unified effort toward fighting crime. Atlantic City has never experienced the current level of information sharing and cooperation amongst agencies at each level of government.”