Ed, I just want to comment on the state’s gang problem. Most of the law enforcement personnel in areas plagued by gangs have moved out to work for higher pay or because being a cop in those areas is a rough way to live. But New Jersey has a resource that has not been tapped, a large community of state correction officers who are peace officers. A lot of them live in gang-plagued areas, they know who is who, and they are willing to help stop this problem, but they can’t because they are prohibited by department policy. ... One of the things we could do immediately is add another 8,000 police officers on the ground just by changing this departmental policy. Correction officers could be be the eyes and ears for gang surveillance and it wouldn’t cost New Jersey a dime more, since they are already on the state payroll. I think some innovative thinking by our governor could help.

Insider

Outside law enforcement not accepting help from corrections officers? That’s ridiculous, but typical. Today’s inmate is tomorrow’s street gang thug, and vice versa.

— Ed. Note