NCJ Number
51701
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 22-28
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE ADVENT OF LEGALIZED HOTEL-CASINO GAMBLING IN ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
CASINO GAMBLING IS EXPECTED TO BRING A REBIRTH FOR ATLANTIC CITY, WHICH HAS BEEN DETERIORATING AND SUFFERING HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES EVER SINCE WEALTHY VACATIONERS ABANDONED THE BOARDWALK. IT HAS BEEN PREDICTED THAT WITHIN 10 YEARS THE CITY WILL BE UNRECOGNIZABLE. LOCAL POLICE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRIME PROBLEMS THAT MAY ACCOMPANY ALL OF THE NEW MONEY THAT WILL BE FLOWING INTO THE CITY. THUS FAR, THE MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN INFLUX OF PROSTITUTES. HOWEVER, POLICE EXPECT THAT, AS THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY EXPANDS, THE CITY WILL BE PLAGUED BY ORGANIZED CRIMINALS, LOAN SHARKS, PURVEYORS OF FRAUDULENT BUSINESS SCHEMES, PORNOGRAPHERS, PICKPOCKETS, AND OTHERS ATTEMPTING TO PREY UPON CASINO CUSTOMERS. THE LOCAL POLICE ALSO EXPECT CASINO DEVELOPERS TO CHANGE THE FACE OF THE CITY IN SUCH A WAY THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS WILL CENTER ON STREET CRIMES AND FRAUD RATHER THAN ON SUCH CRIMES AS RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY THAT INCREASED CITY REVENUES FROM THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY MAY MEAN SALARY INCREASES FOR POLICE. WORKING IN FAVOR OF THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT IS ITS RELATIVELY LARGE SIZE AND THE FACT THAT GAMBLING IS STRICTLY CONFINED TO HOTEL CASINOS. LOCAL POLICE SHARE THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF GAMBLING-RELATED LAW ENFORCEMENT-ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL--WITH STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. STATE AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT MEMBERS OF ORGANIZED CRIME FROM OWNING, WORKING IN, OR EVEN ENTERING A CASINO HAVE BEEN DILIGENT. BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE EFFORTS WILL SUCCEED. (LKM)