Subj: Press Release - from the Sheriff's Office  Date: 5/1/2009 4:58:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

HOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN!

“How time flies when you’re having fun!”  That was Sheriff Balles’ response when questioned about his first 100 days in office.  Here is how he has passed the time.

            After participating in his first Sheriff’s sale on January 7, 2009, Balles was visibly moved by the possibility of seeing 87 families lose their homes.  Shortly thereafter, he began the preparations for the R.E.AL. Help Program, which has pulled together real estate professionals to volunteer their time to assist homeowners who might otherwise lose their homes.  These professionals met over the last three months in preparation for the R.E.AL Help Expo, which was held at the Shore Mall on April 16, 2009 and provided assistance to hundreds of people.

            As municipalities around the County were struggling to create a budget, the Sheriff resurrected municipal prisoner transports.  Although this is not a core responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office, this practice was discontinued by the previous sheriff.  The goal is to keep municipal officers in their towns and not driving to the Atlantic County Justice Facility in Mays Landing and waiting with the prisoner until they are processed.  If a municipality has a prisoner, they call the Sheriff’s Office and they schedule them on one of their two transport runs.  Officers can remain on patrol on the streets in their own municipality.  

            The K-9 Unit was also resurrected with the donation of three dogs, a Bloodhound and two German shepherds.  Luke, the Bloodhound, will work primarily with Project Lifesaver, visiting schools to teach children safety strategies.  Dillinger, a shepherd, is a patrol dog and will graduate the K-9 Academy on May 1, 2009. Cobra, a shepherd, is currently training at the Camden County K-9 Academy for patrol work, Dillinger will be cross trained in narcotics detection, and Cobra will be cross trained in arson detection.   The K-9 Unit is now a part of the newly formed Community Policing Unit of the Sheriff’s Office. 

The Community Policing Unit includes five bicycle officers who have completed their training and are patrolling the County’s bike paths, parks and neighborhoods.  They will be available to assist municipalities at local events, parades, as well as patrols at the request of the local police departments.

            As a former volunteer, Sheriff Balles sponsored a new Law Enforcement Explorer Post and held a weeklong Academy over Easter vacation to begin the post.  Twenty-two youth came together to learn courtroom security, gang awareness, and patrol concepts.  They participated in daily physical training, just like they would if they one day become a law enforcement officer.  These Explorers will assist at events throughout the County while gaining hands-on experience that could assist them in choosing their lifelong career.

            Within the first 100 days the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office has applied for the following grants:

                        a. Drunk Driving Enforcement Grant                                          $        3,150.49

                        b. New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety                      $    275,000.00

                        c. United States Department of Justice                                      $    805,230.00

                        d. United States Department of Justice equipment                      $      56,000.00

                                                                                                TOTAL           $ 1,139,380.49

 

            “We have made much progress at the Sheriff’s Office - supplemental patrols, the Child Support Sweep, partnering with the Atlantic County Women’s Center on the County-wide domestic violence response team.   It has truly been a team effort.  Things cannot happen just because you have ideas and energy.  These changes would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of the officers and their supervisors.  They are the front line, the executors of the action plan,” Balles said.  “They just want to come to work, do a good job and help people.  I am just trying to give them the tools they need to do that.”