BRIDGETON NJ March 1 2008-- City council could vote on a measure as soon as its meeting Tuesday night that would require privately owned housing complexes of 50 or more units to hire armed security guards.
Proponents of the measure argue the police department has been heavily burdened by a disproportionate level of criminal activity in the city's larger housing complexes in recent years.
If they're knowingly allowing criminals in their units, they should be held responsible for the security of their residents and their neighbors," Bridgeton Police Lt. Burl Kimble said Thursday.
The city has attempted to convince several complexes to improve security features in recent months, according to Mayor Jim Begley.
"We want them to step up and tell us how they are going to protect their residents and make the community safer," Begley said.
Thus far, none of the complexes have provided the city with the requested security plans, according to Begley.
The ordinance would force the complexes to do more than the Begley administration initially asked of them.
"I'm not threatening anyone," the mayor said. "This is something we're trying to do, and we're looking to move forward with it."
Messages left at the on-site management offices for Glen Park Townhouses, Bridgeton Villas and Burlington Manor Thursday afternoon concerning the proposed ordinance were not returned.
Under the proposed ordinance, housing complexes would be required to have one armed guard on duty per every 50 units. The security personnel would be required 24/7.
Complexes that violate the law would be subject to fines of up to $1,000 per day.
A complex such as Amity Heights, which pays the city $100,000 annually for two community policing officers, would be exempted from the private-security requirement, as would complexes that house only senior citizens or people 55 and older.
Bridgeton Housing Authority, which owns and operates several complexes throughout the city, including the troubled Maplewood Gardens, would not be exempted, according to Begley.
Officials praised the Amity Heights management group for its efforts over the last decade to keep the complex as safe as possible for its residents.
In addition to paying to have two police officers spend 40 hours each week patrolling the complex and meeting with residents, Kimble noted that Amity Heights has hosted regular resident meetings, has been diligent in evicting convicted criminals, and has improved lighting, fencing and other security features.
"There's been a dramatic decrease (in criminal activity at Amity Heights) the last 10 years or so," Kimble said. "I don't have the numbers at my fingertips right now, but we have been looking at them."
Begley acknowledged some complex owners have been critical of the proposed ordinance since they received a copy from the city in late January.
"They don't like it," he said.
Begley expects more resistance as the ordinance moves forward. He doesn't care. His concern lies with his constituents' safety, not the complexes' profit margins.
"It's an undue burden on every citizen in town," he said of the volume of police calls to the apartment complexes.
Begley indicated he would consider postponing the ordinance's final reading, which presumably would take place on Tuesday, March 18, if initial approval prompts the complex owners to move to enhance security.
While the police department supports the proposed ordinance, it would prefer that the complexes enter into community policing agreements with the city, Kimble said.
"We'd like to see police officers (assigned to the complexes). That's what we'd like to see," he said. "Using Amity Heights as an example, it's worked. I believe that 100 percent.
"Private, armed security is the second-best option. It's better than nothing, that's for sure."
Begley dismissed the suggestion that the city is using the ordinance as a tool to get the complexes to ante up money to support the police department's budget.
"I don't want their money. I really want them to put two of their own security guards up there," he said of Bridgeton Villas and Glen Park, two complexes located across Cottage Avenue from each other.
Bridgeton Villas and Glen Park have been two of the biggest trouble areas for police in recent years.
In December, while police were investigating a shooting at Bridgeton Villas, someone hiding behind a fence at Glen Park fired shots in the direction of a police officer.
Officials in neighboring Upper Deerfield Township currently are pressing the Connecticut-based owners of Countryside Village, located in the township's Seabrook section, to return armed guards to the complex.
There haven't been any guards there since Jan. 1 -- a violation of the township ordinance requiring a 24/7 security presence at complexes of 100 or more units, according to township officials.
Proponents of the measure argue the police department has been heavily burdened by a disproportionate level of criminal activity in the city's larger housing complexes in recent years.
If they're knowingly allowing criminals in their units, they should be held responsible for the security of their residents and their neighbors," Bridgeton Police Lt. Burl Kimble said Thursday.
The city has attempted to convince several complexes to improve security features in recent months, according to Mayor Jim Begley.
"We want them to step up and tell us how they are going to protect their residents and make the community safer," Begley said.
Thus far, none of the complexes have provided the city with the requested security plans, according to Begley.
The ordinance would force the complexes to do more than the Begley administration initially asked of them.
"I'm not threatening anyone," the mayor said. "This is something we're trying to do, and we're looking to move forward with it."
Messages left at the on-site management offices for Glen Park Townhouses, Bridgeton Villas and Burlington Manor Thursday afternoon concerning the proposed ordinance were not returned.
Under the proposed ordinance, housing complexes would be required to have one armed guard on duty per every 50 units. The security personnel would be required 24/7.
Complexes that violate the law would be subject to fines of up to $1,000 per day.
A complex such as Amity Heights, which pays the city $100,000 annually for two community policing officers, would be exempted from the private-security requirement, as would complexes that house only senior citizens or people 55 and older.
Bridgeton Housing Authority, which owns and operates several complexes throughout the city, including the troubled Maplewood Gardens, would not be exempted, according to Begley.
Officials praised the Amity Heights management group for its efforts over the last decade to keep the complex as safe as possible for its residents.
In addition to paying to have two police officers spend 40 hours each week patrolling the complex and meeting with residents, Kimble noted that Amity Heights has hosted regular resident meetings, has been diligent in evicting convicted criminals, and has improved lighting, fencing and other security features.
"There's been a dramatic decrease (in criminal activity at Amity Heights) the last 10 years or so," Kimble said. "I don't have the numbers at my fingertips right now, but we have been looking at them."
Begley acknowledged some complex owners have been critical of the proposed ordinance since they received a copy from the city in late January.
"They don't like it," he said.
Begley expects more resistance as the ordinance moves forward. He doesn't care. His concern lies with his constituents' safety, not the complexes' profit margins.
"It's an undue burden on every citizen in town," he said of the volume of police calls to the apartment complexes.
Begley indicated he would consider postponing the ordinance's final reading, which presumably would take place on Tuesday, March 18, if initial approval prompts the complex owners to move to enhance security.
While the police department supports the proposed ordinance, it would prefer that the complexes enter into community policing agreements with the city, Kimble said.
"We'd like to see police officers (assigned to the complexes). That's what we'd like to see," he said. "Using Amity Heights as an example, it's worked. I believe that 100 percent.
"Private, armed security is the second-best option. It's better than nothing, that's for sure."
Begley dismissed the suggestion that the city is using the ordinance as a tool to get the complexes to ante up money to support the police department's budget.
"I don't want their money. I really want them to put two of their own security guards up there," he said of Bridgeton Villas and Glen Park, two complexes located across Cottage Avenue from each other.
Bridgeton Villas and Glen Park have been two of the biggest trouble areas for police in recent years.
In December, while police were investigating a shooting at Bridgeton Villas, someone hiding behind a fence at Glen Park fired shots in the direction of a police officer.
Officials in neighboring Upper Deerfield Township currently are pressing the Connecticut-based owners of Countryside Village, located in the township's Seabrook section, to return armed guards to the complex.
There haven't been any guards there since Jan. 1 -- a violation of the township ordinance requiring a 24/7 security presence at complexes of 100 or more units, according to township officials.
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PROTECT YOURSELF!-Tasers, Pepper Spray, Stun Guns
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SECURITY BADGES, ID CARDS, EQUIPMENT---www.privateofficer.com
GET PAID TO SHOP!~ MAKE MONEY FROM HOME!~~~REALLY! CHECK IT OUT!
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