Atlantic City Anti-Violence Program ‘Big’ Embarrassment For ‘Small’

This is a follow-up to our coverage from yesterday, regarding the multiple stabbings that took place at Harrah’s Casino Resort Atlantic City in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022.

If you missed it, here is a link to our breaking news report from yesterday:

Read More: Atlantic City Police: 4 Men Charged In Stabbings At Harrah’s Casino

Since a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was formally approved on February 11, 2021, the concept of a City of Atlantic City anti-violence program has been the subject of much criticism.

The “initiative is designed to reduce the City's violent crime by training local and rehabilitated ex-offenders to prevent incidents of violent crime in the City through preventative intervention and/or mediation.”

Some agree with a program like this. Some don’t.

We have obtained a copy of the MOU and we’re including it below in its entirety so that you have the opportunity to see the program as it was intended on paper.

Now, following a violent melee, which directly involved a member of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small’s so-called “anti-violence team” being criminally charged … the entire program is being called into question.

Word of Small team member Kamal Allen’s participation in the violent stabbing incident is quickly reverberating throughout Atlantic City.

Kamal Allen, 34, of Bridgeton, is a member of Small's anti-violence department.

That makes the criminal charges against Allen beyond ironic and the source of significant embarrassment for Small.

The Atlantic City Police Department released the following information yesterday evening:

WANTED: Kamal Allen, 34, of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

CHARGES: Aggravated assault (2 counts), possession of a weapon (2 counts), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (2 counts).

HERE IS THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:

It is a noble goal to offer ex-offenders a second chance.

It is important to note that Kamal Allen is now a city of Atlantic City employee. There is concern that Atlantic City could face liability.

We have been advised that multiple members of The Atlantic City Council are preparing to do a deep dive into the validity of the program.

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