ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (KYW Newsradio) — Two issues are on the minds of officials in Atlantic City right now: a recent rise in gun violence and juveniles breaking the rules.
On Father’s Day evening, authorities say four men were shot on a busy stretch of Atlantic Avenue. One of the victims, a 23-year-old, died.
This is one example of the escalating gun violence plaguing the city lately.
“I want the public to know that my administration takes these actions very seriously,” said Mayor Marty Small during a news conference Monday afternoon.
“We are giving the police all the tools that it needs to succeed.”
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Small was joined by local and federal law enforcement as he discussed how the city is working to fix the gun violence problem.
“Let’s increase the numbers of police officers here in the great city of Atlantic City,” Small said.
“Let’s get them back to old levels. Let’s get the salaries up.”
Police say there are currently 270 officers in the department. That’s the same amount of officers on the department in 1978.
City Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz says council is backing the mayor’s methods in handling the gun violence crisis. But two city council members have other ideas.
Moisse “Mo” Delgado and Latoya Dunston sent a letter to Governor Murphy’s office asking for state police to take over in Atlantic City.
“We need help,” Dunston said.
“We are in desperate need of action by the governor’s office and the state police, not tomorrow, but today.”
“Our city deserves to be better,” added Delgado.
This move isn’t sitting well with Mayor Small.
“All they’re doing is criticizing and pointing the finger,” he said.
“Like, are you serious? That’s the only solution you have to the problems going on in our community?”
New Jersey State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan said they support Atlantic City with a task force, and that they’ve been getting similar requests from other major cities across the Garden State.
Governor Murphy said during his Monday afternoon COVID-19 briefing he had yet to read the letter.
Small has one eye on violence and the other on curfew enforcement. He announced last week that in early July, the city will use a loud siren to remind juveniles they are supposed to be home by 10 p.m. and must stay there until 6 a.m., with a small handful of exceptions.
“We’re not going to solve everything. Let’s not kid ourselves,” Small said of using the sirens.
KYW Newsradio caught up with some visitors on the Atlantic City Boardwalk who agree.
“They’re rebels from the beginning. A siren isn’t going to clear them away, said Robert Anderson.
“The reinforcement or how you’ll finish up is going to be the actual impact," added Jamilette De La Cruz.
“I feel like it’ll address the problem, but will it solve the problem? The solving the problem really comes with the parents," said Leon Bonner.
Small said parents do still have to do their part.
As far as the repercussions, police say they’re going to be strictly enforcing this and will hand out fines if needed.
City officials say the sirens will also be used for warnings, like during flooding or severe weather.
They were first built in 2005 to warn of evacuation emergencies.
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