CAMDEN COUNTY — A regional police force in Camden County may become a reality sometime in the near future, according to Gov. Chris Christie, Senate President Steve Sweeney and other local officials who met today to consider the concept. Christie said towns living in a cap world need to find a way to balance reducing the cost of public...
CAMDEN COUNTY — A regional police force in Camden County may become a reality sometime in the near future, according to Gov. Chris Christie, Senate President Steve Sweeney and other local officials who met today to consider the concept.
Christie said towns living in a cap world need to find a way to balance reducing the cost of public safety "while making sure the public remains safe."
Christie said he and Sweeney — a longtime proponent of shared services — are "like-minded" on the issue.
The closed-door meeting, held at Camden County College, lasted about an hour. Attorney General Paula Dow and Community Affairs Commissioner Lori Grifa also attended, along with Camden City Mayor Dana Redd, who last week said she is open to exploring the concept of regionalization. Of 37 towns in the county, 35 were represented by a mayor or local official.
Freeholder Director Louis Capelli Jr. said committees have formed to explore the idea, and he expects to see a more solid plan form in four to six months.
Camden joins Morris and Somerset counties, who are also looking into creating countywide forces.
"The taxpayers of this state need relief. They're at a breaking point," said Sweeney. "What has to change is the way we deliver local government."
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