Despite layoffs, mayor promises safe summer season in Atlantic City

Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian is promising summer visitors a safe environment, despite layoffs to balance the city’s budget.

The cut work force will be trimmed by 400 employees — 200 positions were eliminated through attrition and 200 others will be laid off.

None of the layoffs is in the police department, Guardian said.

“What you’ll see is actually more police officers when you come down here. By Memorial Day, we’ll have 60 Class Two police officers that will be on foot on the Boardwalk, on Pacific, on Atlantic Avenue,” he said Tuesday. “And that’s 24 hours a day.”

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Atlantic City is the safest it’s been in a long time, he said, with the rate of every measurable crime down for the past 18 months.

Some of the city’s workforce reductions will be in the recreation department.

Guardian said partnerships with nonprofit groups will help to save about $2 million while offering the same programs.

The layoffs are part of the troubled resort town’s financial recovery plans, along with major budget cuts. The city has seen the worth of its taxable property sharply plummet and four of its 12 casinos have closed down.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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