WOND News

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating a shooting in Atlantic City early Sunday morning that left one man dead. Just after 3:00 a.m., on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, investigators of the ACPO Major Crimes Unit responded to Atlantic City in the area of California and Arctic Avenues for a report of a homicide. Atlantic City Police officers located a 42 year-old man at the scene who had been fatally shot. This is an active investigation by the ACPO Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department.

As part of efforts to reduce gun violence, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck today announced a gun buyback event to be held in Atlantic County. The “Guns for Cash” event will be held on Saturday, August 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:
Atlantic City Fire Station No. 1, located at 900 Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City. Residents can turn in firearms with “no questions asked,” and receive as much as $250 per weapon. Police officers will be stationed at each buyback location to collect and secure the guns. The gun buyback initiative is funded with forfeiture dollars obtained by the local police departments and County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as forfeiture funds from the Division of Criminal Justice.

Officials in Atlantic City have put a weight limit on one of the city’s Venice Park bridges. According to the Press of Atlantic City, they say it’s because the poor condition of the span is a public safety risk. Mayor Marty Small Sr. Thursday outlined the city’s plans to repair the existing bridges and eventually replace them with new versions over the next two years. An inspection found the 50-plus year old bridge had substructure issues. The weight limit moving forward is no more than 6,000 pounds for vehicles on the bridge over the Venice lagoon.

Two people under arrest, accused of selling pot out of the Enlightened Smoke and Specialty Shop, located at 14 South Main St., in Court House. Middle Township Police Department say they investigated after a complaint and executed a search warrant at the shop this week. The Cape May County Herald reports as a result of the execution, 40 year old Jamy Lennon and 21 year old Anthony Albano III, 21, both of Court House, were arrested, and several pounds of marijuana and over $4,000 were seized.

An Atlantic County Grand Jury handed down an indictment on July 27, 2021, against an Atlantic City man for 2 counts of Strict Liability Homicide and multiple narcotics offenses in connection to the drug related deaths of two men from the United Kingdom in March 2020. Last month, 24 year old Tyrell Gist was taken into custody following an extensive drug related death investigation of the overdose deaths of Scott P. Jordon, 43, and Simon Gamble, 40, both of the United Kingdom.
On March 8, 2020, detectives of the ACPO Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit responded to Bally’s Casino room 3241 upon notification of two drug related deaths. Upon arrival at the room Jordan and Gamble were located inside and were deceased. As the investigation into these two drug related deaths continued and based on surveillance video obtained from the Bally’s Casino, Gist was immediately identified as a suspect.

A former Atlantic City substitute teacher and Department of Children and Family Services caseworker was sentenced to 20 years and one month in federal prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to the exploitation of a young boy who was in his care. The Press of Atlantic City reports 29 year old Kayan Frazier Frazier pleaded guilty in February to one count of child exploitation involving sexual abuse and child pornography. He was first set to be sentenced June 8. That sentencing was delayed until July 7, which was then delayed until Tuesday.

A resolution approved in North Wildwood to fill in several beaches to combat damage from harsh storms.
The Cape May County Herald reports a 12-mile portion of the New Jersey coastline, from Townsend’s Inlet to Cape May Inlet, is set to undergo beach replenishment in order to help prevent further storm damage. It was most recently done in 2017. The project is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to reduce flood and coastal storm damage to the islands.

Some North Wildwood residents say they’re concerned about ongoing criminal behavior. Some talked at a recent City Council meeting outlining various incidence of violence including what they called the same people” going around and playing games of “knock out,” where many juveniles become violent and assault others until they are presumed to be unconscious. According to the Cape May County Herald, witnesses said the attacks looked to be “seven on one” at times.

Due to ongoing air conditioning issues in the Atlantic County Office Building, 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, the building will remain closed through Tuesday, July 27. All other county facilities are operating as usual. Individuals who are scheduled to pick up an EBT card on Tuesday, should contact (609) 345-6700, ext. 2353, to make arrangements.

Atlantic County residents ages 16-24, who are recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are encouraged to apply for summer employment through the Atlantic County Office of Workforce Development. Participants can earn money while gaining valuable job experience. Employment opportunities are available through October 31. Qualified applicants can earn $15 an hour for 30 hours of work a week without affecting their current benefits.