During an October 25th news conference, City of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. announced the formation of the Boardwalk Improvement Group (BIG), as well as the addition of new employees in the city’s Health and Human Services department, both tasked with addressing homelessness issues in the city, among other quality of life concerns.

 

BIG is a proactive partnership between the public and private sector that aims to improve the overall quality of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and beaches. BIG features an integration of city departments that conduct 24/7 observation and reconnaissance, with attention to prevention, abatement, cleanup, engagement and enforcement. Since the formation of BIG, daily visual Boardwalk and beach inspections have been conducted, ‘See, Click, Fix’ was created internally to form one, central database where all information and communication comes from, and it was determined what ordinances needed to be changed or added.

 

BIG addresses homeless individuals sleeping and loitering around the Atlantic City Boardwalk and beaches, as well as removal of encampments, while supporting the idea of these individuals finding a successful path in life. The group was formed early this year under the leadership of Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) Sergeant Brian Shapiro. The group originally featured police, the Atlantic City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Atlantic City Department of Public Works and the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) Special Improvement Division (SID). By Summer, the group also consisted of the city’s Department of Licensing and Inspection, Solicitor’s Office, Information Technology Department and Health and Human Services Department. Also involved in BIG are the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Atlantic City Casino Association and social services groups from throughout the area, including Jewish Family Services of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, Volunteers of America, Hope One Atlantic County, Angels in Motion and NJ Rise. Representatives meet bi-weekly to discuss improvement tactics, and how to best coordinate with everyone involved.  While homelessness is a major component, BIG also addresses aggressive Boardwalk performers, bicycle violations, public smoking, open container violations, and many other issues with the hopes of keeping the Atlantic City Boardwalk world class.

 

The City of Atlantic City has also been working with the DCA to bring a homeless czar into the city. Interviews are wrapping up, and the hired individual is expected to be announced soon. In addition, during the news conference, Health and Human Services Director Jarrod Barnes introduced six, highly-qualified new employees in his department, who were brought in to help deal with homelessness throughout Atlantic City. The new hires include:

 

Joya Banks, Social Worker

Keith Dunn, Drug Prevention and Recovery Specialist

Brandan Hargrose, Reentry Services Program Specialist

Kamau Johnson, Reentry Services Assistant Coordinator

Kenneth Mitchem, Director of Community Relations/Social Services (with an emphasis on homelessness)

Anthony Woodard, Social Worker

 

The City of Atlantic City is looking to fill eight Community Service Aide positions aimed at supporting quality of life improvement in Atlantic City, particularly along Atlantic Avenue, through community outreach and interaction, and by working closely with the city’s community and drug specialists. Atlantic City residents are encouraged to apply for these positions on our Career section of the website.