ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Public officers, law enforcement officials, and faith-based organizations joined forces to hold a cookout for Atlantic City community members on Wednesday night.
The Coalition for a Safe Community held the cookout to help strengthen the relationship between law enforcement officials and community members while also bringing necessary resources to a community that has been devastated by COVID-19.
The coalition started back in 2010 when organizations from across the city took action to combat crime and violence. Tockeem Washington and his 4-year-old daughter, Kaabah, came out to the cookout to support the police because Washington says Atlantic City needs police to protect the community. "Law enforcement protects the kids and everybody else," Washington said. "Everybody needs law enforcement.
Without law enforcement, things would be lawless and that's very bad." Kids enjoyed a bouncy house, music, and sweet treats, while adults were able to access resources to help them with healthcare, record expungement, and housing.