City of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. and Atlantic City Police Department Chief James Sarkos are announcing the city has been awarded a $3,750,000 Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Grant.

“Public safety is a top priority of my Administration, and we are constantly looking for ways to make improvements,” said Mayor Small. “You’ve heard recently about some initiatives we’ve been taking, including forming the Boardwalk Improvement Group (BIG) and installing new, state-of-the-art cameras in our neighborhoods. Now, this funding for 30 new officers will give the Atlantic City Police Department the tools they need to further our efforts to enhance safety and make this city one of the safest around.”

The city received funding that will include the addition of School Resource Officers.  School Resource Officers serve as a valuable resource for students, staff, and parents, providing a visible and positive presence in the school community.  They will work closely with school administrators to address issues related to student safety, such as bullying, drug use, and other forms of criminal activity.

“One of the most important benefits of having School Resource Officers in our schools is their ability to build positive relationships with students,” said Chief Sarkos. These officers serve as positive role models and mentors for students, helping to build trust and respect between law enforcement and the community.  By collaborating with school administrators, parents, and community leaders, the officers can help to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.”

The grant will also fund the hiring of Traffic Safety Enforcement Officers. Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City are ranked #1 and #6 respectively as the most dangerous roadways in Southern New Jersey.  One of the most important benefits of having dedicated traffic safety officers is their ability to focus specifically on traffic safety issues.  While many law enforcement officers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including traffic enforcement, dedicated traffic safety officers have the time and resources to focus solely on traffic safety.  This means that they can be more effective at promoting safe driving habits and reducing the number of crashes on our roads.  In addition, traffic safety officers serve as valuable resources by providing education and outreach on traffic safety issues, working closely with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to promote safe driving habits.  They will serve as a visible reminder of the importance of traffic safety, helping to create a culture of safe driving in our community.

The funds are part of the nearly $217 million in grants to hire and retain 1,730 law enforcement officers to serve 394 communities and law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S.  Atlantic City’s grant of $3.75 million is the largest grant awarded in the State of New Jersey and one of the largest grants provided nationwide.  Rutala Associates, a local planning firm, prepared the application for this competition.

Members of the Atlantic City community that provided letters of support for this grant include the Casino Association, the Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association, Atlantic Cape Community College, AtlantiCare, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, and many local nonprofits.  In addition, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, State Senator Vincent Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian, Assemblywomen Claire Swift, and County Executive Denny Levinson provided their support.

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Alert sent on 11/13/2023 at 3:48PM EST

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