Atlantic City is visited by over 27 million people every year, but the city is protected by Fire and Police departments already strained by budget cuts. Now the bureaucrats in charge of the state takeover of Atlantic City are ready to impose even more drastic budget cuts that that will reduce the firefighter force from 225 to 125, the smallest firefighting force in the history of Atlantic City. The police force is facing a reduction to 250, losing over 100 officers since 2010. This would be the smallest police force in the city since gambling was legalized in the early 1970's. This reduction of first responder positions will result in unsafe staffing levels and longer response times, putting the lives of the residents and visitors to Atlantic City at risk.

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4556 will ensure that public safety staffing in Atlantic City will be maintained at proper and safe levels. Fill out this form to contact your legislators and tell them that they should put safety first.

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In The News

PRESS RELEASE:
Atlantic City Community Advocates Launch Public Awareness Campaign Regarding Significant Cuts to Public Safety
March 17, 2017
State “takeover” officials are pushing their plan to lay off almost 50% of the entire fire department & cut the police force to its lowest level since the 1970’s before casinos opened.

ATLANTIC CITY- A coalition of community advocates today announced the launch of a public awareness campaign regarding the significant public safety cuts being pursued by state officials due to the takeover of Atlantic City’s finances.

“Under the guise of fiscal austerity, the safety of the public and visitors to Atlantic City is being gambled on,” said Matt Rogers, President of Atlantic City PBA Local 24. “We are struggling to keep up with an opioid & heroin epidemic and its related increase in violence. These cuts will only make it worse” he concluded.

“Residents are nervous. They are scared. I hear from them every day,” said Pastor James Barclay of the Full Gospel International Outreach Church & Secretary of the Fellowship of Churches of Atlantic City and vicinity. “The number one priority of our elected officials should be the safety of its residents, but here are our state officials turning their backs on that responsibility.”

The campaign, which is currently underway, includes billboards, direct mail, online advertising and multiple grassroots activities including leafleting on the boardwalk and door-to-door canvasing to inform residents.

Atlantic City had 272 firefighters in 2010. It now has 225 and proposed layoffs would bring that number down to 125. The police department had 331 officers in 2011. They are now at 274 and the state want to further cut the police force to 250. In 2015 (the most recent study available), Atlantic City was ranked the second most dangerous city in New Jersey, according to FBI crime statistics.

“If you’re trying to increase the number of visitors to Atlantic City and improve its perception as a family destination, why in the world would you make these types of drastic cuts to public safety?” said Bill Dilorenzo, President of the Firefighters Local 198. “Our call volume for 2016 is up 23% over the previous 5 year average. These cuts are illogical and counter-productive,” he concluded.

“I haven't seen local businesses this concerned in a long time” said Cathy Burke, owner of the Irish Pub. “These types of public safety cuts are bad for business,” she concluded.

DontGambleonSafetyAC is a project of the Alliance for Atlantic City Supervisory Employees, Bishop John Grady of the Ministers Alliance of Atlantic City, PBA Local 24, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, Professional Firefighters Association (IAFF) Local 198, Teamsters Local 331, AFSCME District Council 71 & ACWCPA. Our mission is to educate the public about the significant negative impact on public safety the state takeover of Atlantic City is having on residents, tourists & workers in Atlantic City. For more information, please visit us at: www.dontgambleonsafetyac.com or on Facebook “Don’t Gamble on Safety AC.”

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NEWS ARTICLES:

A.C. firefighters case against state sent back to Atlantic County court
February 10, 2017
The Press of Atlantic City

A.C. Firefighters: state using 'delay and intimidation' to avoid court date
February 10, 2017
Philly.com

Lawsuit over Atlantic City firefighters moves to federal court, opening the door for cuts
February 4, 2017
Newsworks.com

Judge temporarily blocks Atlantic City firefighter layoffs
February 2, 2017
The Press of Atlantic City

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DontGambleonSafetyAC is a project of the Alliance of Atlantic City Supervisory Employees, Bishop John Grady of the Ministers Alliance of Atlantic City, the Policeman's Benevolent Association (PBA Local 24), the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, The Professional Firefighters Association of NJ (IAFF), Teamsters Local 331, AFSCME District Council 71 and ACWCPA." For more information, please call 609-989-8730.

Paid for by the Public Employee Committee of the NJ State AFL-CIO.  106 West State Street, Trenton NJ 08608.