Real community policing is returning to Atlantic City, the chief announced at the first public meeting of the Atlantic City Police Department Advisory Board
With crime and Internal Affairs complaints down in the city, strides have been made, Deputy Chief James Sarkos pointed out in a PowerPoint presentation.
But there is still work to do to find a common ground.
That is where the Advisory Board comes in.
But at its first public meeting, the board created to give a voice to residents’ concerns and offer solutions saw its first hurdle is getting the word out about its existence.
Much of the discussion was how to spread the word and make it easier for residents to attend before the next quarterly meeting set for August.
The department also used the meeting to introduce its new Neighborhood Coordination Officer Program, which harkens to the time when officers walked the beat and knew the residents in those neighborhoods, explained Deputy Chief Jerry Barnhart, who began his career 22 years ago in community policing.
Sixteen officers will be assigned to the program, with two permanently in each of the six wards and another four assigned to the homeless outreach.
Residents will have these officers’ cell phone numbers and be able to reach out to them whenever they need.
“I’m really excited,” said Lt. Will Santiago, who will lead the initiative.
Safe Surrender set for June 26, Chief Henry White announces. Details will follow.
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The officers will be seasoned ones who know the town and have the ability to navigate any issues that may come up, Barnhart said.
The officers will be a diverse group, White said, although the list will not be made public until an official announcement that has not yet been scheduled.
It’s important that they have officers who speak the language of the residents in their wards, said board member Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez.
The department’s officers speak a total of 22 languages. Even if the officers assigned aren’t able to speak a needed language, they will have access to an officer who does, the chief said.
Any issues the board brings up is “constructive criticism,” member Steve Young told the chief. “Don’t take it personal.”
“We have work to do,” said Malik Sadiq, one of the few residents to attend Wednesday night.
He said that often residents use the police as a weapon during disagreements, and that this aspect needs to be understood.
“You grew up here, Chief,” he said to White. “You know that and you have a heck of a job in this situation and I commend you.”
“I’m encouraged,” said board member Tom Lamaine.
Sadiq said he was as well.
“It’s a we and an us, not an I,” he said. “If we continue to speak and talk to one another, exchange dialogue, we can make this work.”
