NJOHSP Renews Efforts to Secure Shore Towns with Annual Safety Campaign

HAMILTON, NJ – With residents and visitors converging on the state’s seaside resort towns following the unofficial start of summer, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is reminding the public to remain vigilant as a component of its annual “Secure the Shore” campaign launch.

“Secure the Shore” focuses on municipalities in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties, leveraging partnerships with local, county, State and federal law enforcement and bringing public awareness to NJOHSP’s suspicious activity reporting “See Something, Say Something” initiative.

To further assist this season’s efforts, NJOHSP recently acquired four variable-message signs to display in high-traffic areas along the coastal region, as well as near venues hosting special events and mass gatherings. Similar to digital signs alerting motorists to road closures, traffic conditions or AMBER alerts on state highways and roads, NJOHSP’s boards will feature rolling messages reminding motorists and pedestrians to stay alert and report any suspicious activities.

“The public is one of our best and first lines of defense to detect bad actors – that includes the millions of residents and visitors who frequent our 141 miles of coastline, boardwalks and other Jersey Shore entertainment venues each summer,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “Unfortunately, bad actors are always looking for opportunities to strike at mass gatherings. The addition of these new sign boards will allow us to remind the millions of shore goers to be cognizant of their surroundings and report anything that seems out of the ordinary. Even if you think your observation is insignificant, it may be a piece of a larger puzzle.”

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 patrols on identifying suspicious activities
• Administering federal 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 a “Special Events Submission Form” via www.njohsp.gov/specialevents.

NJOHSP’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign continues to play a key role in helping prevent attacks in New Jersey.

Authorities encourage 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. The public can make reports to local law enforcement or to NJOHSP’s Counterterrorism Watch Desk by calling 866-4-SAFE-NJ or emailing tips@njohsp.gov.

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