Christie, Sweeney Together on Camco Police, Fire Plan

Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney were in town today to discuss proposed public safety regionalization in Camden County.

This time, the biggest players in the state's Republican and Democratic parties were on the same page.

"I think this is a moment that we have to look for efficiencies in policing, both in terms of effectiveness of the policing and also cost," Christie said.

"We have more government (in New Jersey) than you can possibly imagine having, or need," Sweeney said. "The time is now to start looking at things differently."

Sweeney (D-West Deptford) noted the average annual property-tax bill in New Jersey stands at $7,200.

Thirty-five of Camden County's 37 municipalities were represented at the meeting at Camden County College, officials said. Tavistock and Pine Valley—two small, golf-course communities—were not represented.

"I wanted all of the mayors—and there were Republicans and Democrats in that room—to understand that I am completely supportive of this project," Christie said.

Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli indicated he expects regionalization to begin in four to six months. Two committees have been formed to examine police and fire service regionalization, he said.

The county freeholders facilitated today's meeting, as well as several others leading up to it.

Several mayors, including Collingswood's Jim Maley, took questions from reporters following the Christie/Sweeney press conference. They indicated they do not expect regionalization to happen overnight, or to involve at first all of the towns it may ultimately include.

Maley expressed his hope that individual towns will be given the opportunity to do what's right for themselves, including the possibility that a town go with the regional police force but opt to keep its own fire service, or vice versa.

"I want all of the options on the table," he said.

Check back with Patch Thursday morning at 6 a.m. for a more complete report on Christie and Sweeney's visit at the county college.