There have been
five homicides in Asbury Park already this year and officials say violent crime is also on the rise in the city this year.
So on Wednesday, officials from separate law enforcement agencies
held a joint press conference in the city to announce enhanced combined efforts to combat Asbury Park’s crime epidemic and that the county’s Gang and Narcotics Task Force has made more than 100 arrests in Asbury Park and Neptune since August.
“I need people to give a damn as much as law enforcement does,” Gramiccioni said at the press conference.
When Friday morning’s shooting happened, there were actually police officers stationed in a car nearby who heard the shots, Gramiccioni said.
“It’s frustrating. But at the same time, it hardens our resolve,” he said, adding the Asbury Park community needs to step up to help solve its violence problems, because it is not feasible to have cameras and police on every corner.
“If there’s going to be a solution to solving the violent crime that has historically plagued this city, it’s not going to be a quick shot that we fix in six weeks,” he said. “It’s going to be a long-term solution that requires equal efforts from the community and city officials in addition to aggressive policing.”