Layoffs last year left fewer police on the streets and led to a hike in crime. But now Mercer County is sending in reinforcements.
Mercer County Sheriff's officers have already begun patrolling the streets of Trenton in an effort to beef up police coverage and crack down on crime.
Since laying off more than 100 officers in September violent crime has spiked in the city, and now the Sheriff's officers along with investigators from the county prosecutor's office will be working the streets along with local cops to control it.
"We're not kidding ourselves or trying to have the public believe that we're going to stop it completely, but we have to be able to do something that is going to curtail it," said Mercer County Prosecuter Joe Bocchini.
"By joining forces together, we're going to show this criminal element that we don't stand by and allow Trenton to be hurt," said Pedro Medina from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.
Officials will not talk about numbers or when the officers will be out on patrol, but say the extra officers will make a big difference.
"We're trying to prevent crime," said Mayor Tony Mack. "So we'll have a greater presence; it can only help the situation.
"Trenton has become out of control ever since he laid off the 105 cops. It's been ridiculous. So I think it's a good thing. We need help," said Rosita Maldonado.
In additions to the shootings, murders and other violence, just this week a city councilman's wife was robbed at gunpoint in her own driveway.
"He had a gun pointed at my head," said Alysia Welch-Chester. "So I was unnerved to say the least."
Sheriff's officers and county detectives have worked before with Trenton police on all kinds of cases. Now they will be riding the streets regularly hoping to help local cops quell the crime and violence that seems to be escalating in Trenton.
