(LibertyInsider.org) – Millions of people visit Atlantic City, New Jersey, each year. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. However, its popularity has some downfalls, too. Over the past few years, violent incidents have escalated, and people have called for increased surveillance. Last year, the state gave the city $5 million to install more security cameras, a project that’s slated to be completed this year.
City officials plan to install 200 cameras, each containing five independent lenses, which will provide 1,000 new views of the 48-block area. This is in addition to the 3,000 cameras already scattered across the city, a mixture of public and private fixtures. Once the project is complete, it will provide coverage for much of Atlantic City, a key necessity to promoting safety, according to Police Chief James Sarkos, who says the cameras will act as “a force multiplier” that will make the city “safer for everybody.”
In the past several months, there have been a few unsolved crimes. For instance, in November, someone was murdered near Boardwalk Hall. It’s not clear whether there were cameras in the area that helped to aid in the police investigation.
On New Year’s, two people were stabbed, both fatally, in different areas. Law enforcement responded to a call at 6:15 a.m. on Monday, January 1, of a man bleeding on S. California Avenue. The victim, identified as Vincent O’Brien III, 50, died of his wounds at a hospital. Just over an hour later, authorities were called again to another stabbing. This time, the victim, Nazir Cintron, 22, was declared dead at the crime scene.
Police do not believe the stabbings to be connected, but the deaths have shined a spotlight on the need for additional security measures in the city. It’s also unclear if they have information from cameras near the scene to help with identifying the suspects involved. Police are asking anyone who has information to contact the Atlantic City Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 609-909-7666. They can also submit anonymous tips on the Crime Stoppers website.
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