OFFICE OF THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR

MERCER COUNTY COURT HOUSE P.O. BOX 8068 TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08650-0068 PHONE: (609) 989-6350 (609) 989-6305 FAX #: (609) 989-0161

JOSEPH L. BOCCHINI, JR. Prosecutor

JANETTA D. MARBREY First Assistant Prosecutor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 18, 2012

MERCER COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND SHERIFF LEND SUPPORT TO CITY POLICE

TRENTON -- Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. and Sheriff Jack Kemler stated today that their respective offices will be assisting Trentons Tactical Anti-Crime (TAC) Unit with street-level crime suppression in the upcoming months. The decision to add county manpower in an effort to bolster the number of officers on city streets comes in the wake of a recent surge in violent crime. Over the last six months or so, we have been having discussions with the mayors office and the police department with regard to layoffs and work force concerns, Bocchini said. Ive committed my office to helping in any way it can, and right now, with the recent spike in homicides and shootings, we need more officers on the street. In our continuing efforts to assist the City of Trenton, we are happy to join the Mercer County Prosecutors Office in bolstering the Trenton Police Departments Tactical Unit and assisting in their efforts on combating violent crime, Kemler said. Over the years, our office has regularly assisted Trentons law enforcement efforts, and as Sheriff this is just another extension of my commitment to the citizens of Mercer County. With violence escalating in the city, a greater police presence is needed on the street, County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. The best way to accomplish that is for law enforcement to pool its resources, and Prosecutor Bocchini, Sheriff Kemler and I are making that happen. Were doing what we can, and I encourage the residents of Mercer County and the City of Trenton to assist by being the eyes and the ears.

Bocchini stated that this kind of interagency cooperation is not a new approach. For years, my Special Investigations Unit has worked in conjunction with local, state and federal partners on targeted investigations, and we will continue to do so, Bocchini said. Now we have expanded that strategy to crime suppression, as we did in 2005 with the Regional Violent Crime Interdiction Task Force. It is essential that Trenton is able to secure its streets and protect its citizens. I am pleased that the Mercer County Prosecutors Office and Sheriffs Department will be assisting the Trenton Police Department with crime suppression, Acting Police Director Dave Armitage said. They have been assisting our department with investigations for some time and the additional field officers will aid in preventing the violence before it occurs. Ive dedicated most of my career to public service and law enforcement, and Im well aware that a few extra men and women on the street will not stop crime in its tracks, but it will make a difference, Bocchini stated. Law enforcement is going to make its presence felt. ###