The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office

Media Release

Contact:

Sheriff Frank Balles

Atlantic County Sheriff

Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office

Phone: 609/909-7214
FAX: 609/909-7292
E-Mail: balles_frank@aclink.org

January 14, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTIC COUNTY SHERIFF FRANK BALLES TAKES STEPS TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS

Sheriff Frank X. Balles is hitting the ground running with the introduction of an amazing program which is setting the tone for an innovative and new coordination and cooperation between Atlantic County Sheriff's Office and local real estate industry professionals.

The program title speaks for itself, “R.E.AL Help”, which stands for Realty Experts Aligned to Help. Sheriff Balles quoted, “There is no better time but the present to not only look at, but create ways to help our neighbors, friends and co-workers deal with the reality of property loss.”

He has tasked his Chief of Staff/Aide, Stephan L. Jackson I and Atlantic County Realty veteran Geoff Rosenberger to create an outreach program designed by experts in their fields to help county residents to understand more about the following:

1.      Citizen empowerment: Inform, educate, and be proactive in avoiding properties from ending up in sheriff's sales when possible, enabling people to keep their properties.

2.      Create the statewide and national model that works in the field, designed by those in the field.

3.      Pending or possible foreclosure

4.      Loan workout

5.      Bankruptcy laws

6.      Sale process

7.      Sheriff’s Sales process

8.      HUD approved Housing Counseling Agencies

9.      Tax appeals

10.  Refinancing / reverse mortgages

Through this program, individuals from multiple disciplines will be teamed up to provide assistance, insight and guidance. Balles also states, “The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office has never before had a reason to team with experts from the realty, title insurance, mortgage and banking industry as a helping hand. We have always been the deliverer of a summons or an eviction notice. Now that perception can and will change…”

The first planning meeting was held today at the County Office Building in Atlantic City. Of the guests, County Executive Dennis Levinson was present, and very excited about the program “I am very pleased to see the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office taking the lead in coordinating the R.E.AL Help program.”

Confidential Aide to the Sheriff, Stephan L. Jackson I stated, “This program will jump start a proactive plan of attack. We create good will and foster hope through identifying  alternative options to prevent loss of property, and advising of rights and obligations, where no alternatives exist.”

The meeting drew well over thirty new members for the group, and more are on the way. From this meeting, it would appear that three committees have been formed. They are Education, Loan Modification and Press & Funding. Each of these groups is comprised of 10 to 12 industry professionals.

Overview Facilitator, Geoff Rosenberger stated, “A local taskforce of professionals has been organized. We will co-sponsor a local meeting to introduce the program. This will provide a program overview to familiarize chosen participants with the process parameters.”

Once the initial meeting has been conducted, teams will be established to plan out the structure of program application. These teams will also develop individual plans for specialty services they will provide.

A centralized email, or contact point will be identified via the atlanticcountysheriff.org website for people to use to obtain more information about the program. For more information, please contact the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office at Jackson_steve@aclink.org or (609) 909-7214.