What does the outside world think about Atlantic City? That’s what REALLY matters when considering the reinvention of AC. NO matter that the crime stats say, no matter what well-paid officials and media pundits regurgitate.
What’s missing? Research and feedback from outsiders & actual visitors. Maybe even an avid traveler / video blogger from Texas. WATCH VIDEO >
Too many outsiders still have the impression that Atlantic City is unsafe. No matter what CRDA, NJ Lt Gov Oliver or embattled Mayor Frank Gilliam says. Of course, the absolute LAST person that should discuss AC crime, is Mayor Frank. But I digress…
Atlantic City crime isn’t always violent. It’s not always reported as a crime.
Aggressive begging, petty theft, homeless pan handling.
No view of the ocean from Boardwalk kills foot traffic.
Improve perception. Visitors and residents must feel safe.
Attract young families to AC? Increase home ownership. Sounds nice. Not gonna happen with AC’s lousy school performance scores, high taxes and crime.
Those who DO pay taxes are vulnerable to tax hikes and higher assessments. Casinos are protected from stuff like this.
AC is dumping ground for ex offenders, sex offenders, needle exchanges, social services. Many boarding houses are non-compliant,. Should be separated by 1,000 ft. Ordinance not being enforced in areas like Tennessee Ave.
Susan Czerwinski Hesser: I love AC..but to be honest, was there the other day on Tennessee Ave at the Beer Hall and it was crackhead alley..it was daytime so I wasn’t afraid..but wouldn’t even consider going there at night
Poverty, homeless, mental challenges, addiction treatment, needle exchanges, myriad social services steps from casinos and boardwalk, challenges related to sanctuary state issues.
Reported Crime vs disorder. Greater fear of being harassed by bothered by disorderly people.
Not violent people, or even criminals, but those such as panhandlers, drunks, addicts, rowdy teenagers, loiterers or people with mental health struggles.
Abandoned properties, dark streets, open air drug deals in the tourism District
Stockton students not venturing off campus. ACDEVCO plans to build even more dorms. This will hurt property values of those hoping to rent rooms to students.
Local pizza shops getting a Stockton bump? Not really. Students get their pizza on campus at Carluccio’s.
From Press of Atlantic City: Owens and her friend and fellow city resident Automne Bennett, 36, said they were skeptical of the city’s crime data as they pointed out abandoned properties last month they said have become a breeding ground for crime and drug use.
CRDA spending millions on questionable projects. Meet AC trying to attract more conferences. Spin machine.
Concerned AC citizens: ‘All 17 board members of CRDA should walk entire length of Pacific Ave. Then spend time at Renaissance plaza and the AC bus terminal.’
Only two members of CRDA actually live in Atlantic City. Mayor Frank Gilliam and local socialite, Gary Hill. CRDA does not reflect ethnic make up of Atlantic City, either.
We can pat ourselves on the back. Tell each other…we ‘turned the corner’. Run ads in the dying local newspaper or local radio with limited reach not working.
Legal weed, sports betting, online gambling and building Stockton dorm rooms are not the game changers AC was hoping for.
- Massage parlors. Psychic readers, palm reading.
- T-shirts shops. Many selling non-licensed product.
- Retailers sell accessories to smoke marijuana, ‘that’s a big thing here’ says visitor.
- Lots of pot being smoked.
- You can’t walk the street at night, too dangerous. All the drug addicts hanging out.
Casinos were supposed to clean stuff up. 40 years later…..it didn’t help out the neighborhood
Jeanne Belmonte Wilder: I am a former lifelong visitor to Atlantic City. How come no one asks the “visitors” why they’ve stopped vacationing at the former World’s Favorite Playground?
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