The Time Is Now To Achieve Safe & Clean Streets In Atlantic City
This opinion piece was first published in June, 2021.
Read it, again now and decide for yourself how things are going 1 year and 8 months later?
A HARRY HURLEY OPINION - EDITORIAL
Hopefully, this is the start of addressing the serious violent crime problem in Atlantic City in a meaningful way.
Yesterday on “Hurley in the Morning” on WPG Talk Radio 95.5, we interviewed Atlantic City Council President George Tibbitt.
We dropped down the gauntlet on-air that the brazen violence must end. The criminals have taken control of the streets in Atlantic City.
We pushed a theme (on-air) of the state, county and local law enforcement coming together to overwhelm the criminals with their relentless, visible presence.
In deteriorating times such as this, something finally occurs that forces the hand and it demands that effective action must be taken.
That time must be now, without further delay.
The breaking point came on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 20, 2021) when 10 gun shots rang out in broad daylight at 6:06 p.m. on the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City.
Four men were shot and one died.
The Atlantic City Casinos are the key … they are our leading industry … and, they are poised to help bring the region and state back to prominence.
We simply can’t have shootings and other violence and mayhem going on (on) an every day basis.
Atlantic City Mayor, Marty Small, City Council and Atlantic City Police Department stood together yesterday with the FBI and Atlantic County Prosecutors office.
They are now united in their belief that a collaborative approach must be implemented to take the streets of Atlantic City back from the violent criminals.
The state of New Jersey also has a significant role here and we’re confident that Governor Phil Murphy is prepared to step-up and provide the necessary support.
While we’re at it, the streets of Atlantic City are currently filthy.
A corrective action plan must also be developed immediately to address this mounting problem.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
MEET AC, the Hotel Casinos and other working partners are aggressively selling and marketing Atlantic City.
They are bringing meeting and event planners into town to tour “The World’s Playground” and it’s unacceptable that trash, used drug needles and other debris are littered everywhere.
You get one chance to make a good first impression.
Let’s not blow it.
Keeping the streets of Atlantic City clean and presentable requires a relentless commitment and supreme focus.
You must change the culture. Implement an organized approach, featuring true attention to detail.
Clean and safe streets in Atlantic City will help take Atlantic City to the next level.
NOTE: There is a new Atlantic City Director of Public works, a new Atlantic City Police Chief, a new Atlantic County Prosecutor and New Jersey Senator Vince Polistina in place.
If real and meaningful change is to happen … now is the time. If not now, when?
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