NJOHSP Launches Annual Seasonal Campaign to ‘Secure the Shore’

HAMILTON, NJ – Millions of residents and tourists will converge on New Jersey’s seaside resort towns to enjoy the state’s 141 miles of coastline, boardwalks and other Jersey Shore entertainment venues, making these locations potential “soft targets” for terrorist attacks and criminal activity. To help ensure the public’s safety, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) is reminding everyone to remain vigilant as a component of its annual “Secure the Shore” campaign launch.

The “Secure the Shore” initiative, which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, targets municipalities in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties. It brings together local, county, State and federal law enforcement to raise public awareness of NJOHSP’s “See Something, Say Something” initiative, encouraging the public to report suspicious activities.

To further assist in this effort this season, NJOHSP has added automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and mobile security camera trailers to assist with security efforts statewide.

The ALPRs will be placed in highly densely populated areas along the Shore. The devices will capture images of license plates and allow for law enforcement agencies to identify and compare plates against those cars driven by individuals suspected of being involved in illegal activities.

The mobile security camera trailers will enhance target-hardening efforts and enable law enforcement to remotely watch venues hosting special events and mass gatherings.

NJOHSP, in a joint effort with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, is also utilizing nearly 200 variable-message signs located along the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate Highways, including I-78, I-195 and I-280, as well as Route 440, to enhance outreach and information sharing efforts.

The variable-message signs, including the four that will be deployed in high-traffic areas along the coastal region, as well as near venues hosting special events and mass gatherings, will feature rolling messages promoting suspicious activity reporting and remind drivers and pedestrians to be vigilant.

“Our residents and visitors should be able to enjoy the Shore and all it has to offer without fearing for their safety,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “The addition of ALPRs and mobile security camera trailers enhances New Jersey’s capability to mitigate threats and prevent potential attacks in areas that are prime targets for terrorism.”

“The public, however, has a role to play as well as they are one of our best and first lines of defense to detect bad actors who are always looking for opportunities to harm or disrupt our way of life,” Director Doran continued. “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of relationships between the public and our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe summer for everyone.”

In response to the seasonal surge, NJOHSP has and will continue to assist shore towns with maximizing their security capabilities through several measures, including:

• Collaborating with businesses, law enforcement partners and local officials
• Developing security strategies for public venues with limited security
• Deploying counterterrorism detectives to special events
• Conducting routine visits to boardwalks and businesses
• Investigating all leads in a timely manner
• Training lifeguards and beach patrol personnel on identifying suspicious activities
• Administering federal security funding for target-hardening equipment

Additionally, NJOHSP compiles a statewide list of special events with mass gatherings for distribution among law enforcement agencies to provide situational awareness. Officials can submit events via the Special Events web page.

NJOHSP encourages those heading to the Jersey Shore this summer to report any signs of suspicious activity, which could range from surveillance to trespassing to individuals testing or probing security. Even seemingly insignificant observations can contribute to a larger security puzzle. The public can make reports to local law enforcement or to NJOHSP’s Counterterrorism Watch Desk by calling 866-4-SAFE-NJ, by emailing tips@njohsp.gov or by filling out the form.

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