Security at the Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County now has the power to make arrests.
The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office took over security at the courthouse in Mays Landing where 10 municipalities currently have their cases heard.
The move helped rectify an issue the combined court had due to the limitations of its previous security company, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson explained to BreakingAC.
Previously retired State Police were conducting security, but since they could not make arrests, any issues that came up resulted in calling Hamilton Township police, Levinson said.
Since their officers cover a large township with many calls, the calls to the courthouse were not a priority, he said.
The Sheriff's Office was the county court's original choice when the combined court first started, but it was too much at $650,000, Levinson said.
But when Sheriff Joseph O'Donoghue took over the office, he went to Levinson.
"Let us bid on it," he said.
The $502,000 offer worked.
“This is a great day for the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office and the people of Atlantic County,” O'Donoghue said Tuesday, as his officers officially took over security duties. “We are saving the member municipalities money while at the same time protecting the judges, staff and general public.
"In case of any security issues, our highly trained officers can immediately prevent or investigate, arrest and charge the suspects if necessary leaving local law enforcement on the streets," he added. "We are hoping more municipalities will see the security, efficiency, and value of the Central Municipal Court then join in”.
Currently, 10 of the 23 municipalities are part of the Central Municipal Court located inside the old Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse at 5905 Main St. in Mays Landing.
They are Corbin City, Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Northfield, Port Republic, Ventnor and Weymouth Township.
Atlantic City and Pleasantville recently joined their resources in a separate partnership headquartered in Atlantic City.
Levinson is hoping that the savings they can now prove each municipality has seen will convince others to join.
