Atlantic County, NJ: Best Run & Toughest On Crime

Usually the political party in power touts itself as the best of the best and the other political party disagrees strenuously with that assessment.

There’s an interesting phenomenon when it comes to Atlantic County, New Jersey.

Of course, the decades-long incumbent Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson believes that he is the finest County Executive in the state.

That’s expected and to his credit, Levinson has amassed an impressive record with his taxpayer frugal style and philosophy of governance.

However, this is where it gets even more interesting.

In a live interview that I conducted with then New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney … who I point out is a prominent Democrat. Just about as prominent as it gets.

Sweeney declared during our interview that Levinson is the finest county executive in the state of New Jersey.

We live in very divided and divisive political times. You just don’t hear the opposite political party openly say these kinds of complimentary things.

It doesn’t end there.

The late New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver also referred to Levinson in the same glowing terms as Sweeney.

The Democrats on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Commissioners consistently vote for Levinson’s budget each and every year without fail.

They too, have signed on to the Levinson philosophy of governance by virtue of their own votes for the Levinson agenda and Atlantic County.

“Democrats, Republicans and Independents have continually referred to Atlantic County as the finest run county in the state, and now the county is being recognized as the toughest on crime with a 48.9% detention rate, more than twice the 18.1% statewide average,” said Levinson.

Levinson credits the policies of Atlantic County Prosecutor Will Reynolds for helping to make Atlantic County a safe place to live, work and play.

"Finally, we have a prosecutor who gets it," said. Levinson. "For years we have asked for stricter enforcement of our laws.”

”Prosecutor Reynolds is doing just that and realizing significant results with the highest detention rate in the state," said Levinson. "He understands that without enforcement our laws are ineffective."

Reynolds has confirmed that, “nearly 500 defendants are currently detained pending trial with the county justice facility nearly filled to capacity.”

“I am pleased to see that protecting the safety of our residents and the communities in which they live, work and recreate is a top priority of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office," said Levinson. "I applaud their commitment and ongoing efforts."