Media
Release
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Capt. Michael Gaimari
Bridgeton Police
856-381-7041
609-381-4917
BRIDGETON
MAYOR HIGHLIGHTS CRIME EFFORT
Bridgeton Mayor Albert
Kelly today lauded the efforts of the local police department in its handling
of the recent wave of homicides last month noting that the city has taken
numerous steps to support the department’s effort and will continue to do so.
The arrests of five
suspects police say are responsible for two of the four homicides in the city
last month mark a “quick and efficient” response bringing those matters to a
close along with the two other similar incidents.
“We have experienced the
same increase in violent crime as other cities and municipalities across the
state but it is the manner in which we deal with those incidents that reflect
on the department and the city as a whole,” Kelly said, “despite what occurred
last month, overall crime in the city has been down this year as compared to
last year and the year before.”
Police Chief Mark Ott and
Capt. Michael Gaimari backed the mayor’s comments by noting that a majority of
the targeted crimes are down 20-30 percent over the past two years up to the
end of August this year. They include person-crimes such as robbery and
aggravated assault and property crimes including both residential and
commercial burglaries.
Crimes on the rise,
according to police executives, include homicides this year, as the city has
averaged two per year for the past five years and has recorded seven so far
this year, and vehicle burglaries, which experienced a more than 70 percent
increase over the last two years.
The police executives
noted, however, that an increase in homicides alothough violent, is not
indictive itself of an increase in crime incidcating that two of the murders
were allegedly perpetrated by subjects not from this area and a third reported
as domestic-related.
The mayor noted that the
city recently approved the hiring of six officers, two of which were able to
join the ranks immediately since they were already employed as Class II
officers and four that started the Camden County Police Academy in July. One of
those recruits has since had to resign after being injured in an off-duty
accident, but the city has already replaced that position with another Class II
officer that became full-time last week. Kelly said the next step would be to
replenish the Class II ranks as well.
Increase in manpower
however, is not the sole cure, according to the mayor, who said the police
department has been targeting certain areas of the city on a daily basis in an
attempt to curb the violent criminal activity taking place.
Gaimari echoed the mayor’s
remarks noting that gun-related crime is peaking across the state and region,
especially in urban areas, and that nearly 90 percent of the vehicle burglaries
that are reported, approximately 20-per-month, have victims who have left their
vehicles unlocked and valuable items in view. He noted that mandatory property
checks of apartment complexes and businesses along with walking patrols have
increased to more than 1,600 per-month up from about 800 per-month in 2012.
“Each squad has daily
briefings on criminal activity, wanted subjects and assignments dedicated
toward our target areas and all supervisors meet on a monthly basis to analyze
crime trends and enforcement strategies based on statistics gathered,” Gaimari
said, “we have a majority of our officers not just assigned during the peak
criminal activity times, but to the areas of the city they are most likely to
occur.”
Kelly said the battle
against criminal activity does not solely rest with the police department
however, noting that each and every citizen should become involved in policing
their own neighborhoods, reporting suspicious activity through calling the
police or utilizing the TIP411 text system. In addition, the mayor urged those
that witness crimes that occur or have information come forward and assist
police.
“This is our city and your
neighborhoods,” Kelly said, “the police can only be so many places at so many
times! It is up to us as city residents to do everything we can to assist them
in ridding these areas of crime.” Kelly and Chief Ott noted that both resident
and business involvement in several investigations have helped solve or enhance
major and minor investigations including the most recent homicide
investigations where business surveillance video was utilized along with
witness statements.
The mayor added that the
city is also exploring the possibility of joining both business and residential
surveillance video systems with a central depository so that police can gain
instant access to videos at or near the time of a criminal incident with the
owner’s authorization. Additionally, requiring pawn shops in the area in
electronically register items received through a state-wide internet law
enforcement site would make it easier for law enforcement to track stolen
property while holding pawn shop accountable.
Another avenue the city
and department has taken is aimed at trying to deter involvement in criminal
activity with the city’s youth. The mayor and police are members of the
Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition aimed at diverting youth
from the criminal justice system and providing them with alternative resources
of development.
The Police Chaplain
program is being enhanced as well, according to the mayor, to provide not only
family counseling at the time of a traumatic incident, but to counsel juveniles
taken into custody for minor offenses that would qualify them for stationhouse
adjustments.
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To learn
more about the City of Bridgeton please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com
Use anonymous TIP411 Text
Service to report crime by texting “Bridgeton” plus your tip to 847411