Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

September 9, 2009   

Contact: Robbie Kenney / (609) 654-1498
Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

Burlington County Legislators Renew Their Opposition to Prison Razing in Light of State’s First Crime Increase Since 2001

State and Camden County officials still proceed with plans to destroy Riverfront State Prison, one of New Jersey’s newer prisons, for private redevelopment even though the state’s overall crime rate increased last year for the first time since 2001, according to state statistics released yesterday.

Assembly members Dawn Marie Addiego and Scott Rudder, both R-Burlington, said the 3 percent uptick in crime – worse in Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties – should prove to Governor Corzine that this is a foolish time to throw away a state prison.

“Although Riverfront has been emptied and the wrecking ball is nearly in motion, the prison still stands and can once again be used for its original purpose if Governor Corzine would acknowledge that the state’s economic and criminal climate are not conducive right now for closing a prison,” Addiego said. “This scheme to eliminate a publicly-owned facility worth $41 million is a waste of our very limited public resources especially now that crime is rising in New Jersey.”

Riverfront cost $31 million when it was built in 1985 and remains one of the state’s newest facilities. Its inmates were relocated during the summer. State Police statistics released yesterday, however, reveal a 3 percent increase in the state’s overall crime rate from 2007 to 2008. In South Jersey, crime increased by 15 percent in Gloucester County, 6 percent in Camden County and 5 percent in Burlington County.

“Governor Corzine’s plan to level Riverfront to benefit private developers and one community only fritters away a resource we can’t afford to replace and jeopardizes public safety by sending state inmates into county jails at a time when crime is clearly on the rise in New Jersey,” Rudder said. “By destroying this prison in Camden, Governor Corzine is flushing away millions of taxpayer dollars while recklessly getting rid of a functional prison to house those who threaten our society.

“The public cannot afford to lose a prison, nor can it afford to build a new one. The governor must stop his folly and halt Riverfront’s wrecking ball,” Rudder added.

Burlington County Legislators Renew Their Opposition to Prison Razing in Light of State’s First Crime Increase Since 2001 State and Camden County officials still proceed with plans to destroy Riverfront State Prison, one of New Jersey’s newer prisons, for private redevelopment even though the state’s [...]