EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ—The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, along with New Jersey State Police and Egg Harbor City PD, hosted a community outreach event recently, aimed at assisting vulnerable community members. The event featured hot meals prepared and served by NJSP troopers and volunteers from Pic a Lilli Inn, located on Route 206 in Shamong.
These efforts bring together our community and law enforcement to help those who need the help the most. Hot meals were prepared and distributed by the NJSP troopers and the great volunteers at the Pic a Lilli inn on 206 in Shamong Clothes hung on hangers placed on racks were distributed. Shoes, blankets and toiletries were given away as well. New Jersey Courts were on hand for immediate expungements and information on how to get records expunged distributed.
During the event, attendees received not only food but also clothing on hangers, shoes, blankets, and toiletries.
Additionally, representatives from the New Jersey Courts were available to provide information on record expungement, with immediate expungements being processed onsite. The State of New Jersey Office of the Attorney General’s initiatives, Operation Rise and Operation Helping Hands, were also present, distributing doses of Naloxone to combat heroin and fentanyl overdoses.
- Atlantic City Man Sentenced to State Prison for 2024 Shooting Outside Proud Mary’s Bar
MAYS LANDING, NJ — A 34-year-old Atlantic City man has been sentenced to state prison for his role in a 2024 shooting outside a local bar, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday.
Hakim A. Clark was sentenced on June 9,, by Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor to an aggregate term of six years in New Jersey State Prison under the No Early Release Act (NERA), which requires him to serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. That sentence will run concurrent to an additional eight-year sentence with a five-year parole ineligibility period. The charges include second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, and fourth-degree obstruction.
The charges stem from a February 25, 2024, shooting near Proud Mary’s bar at the intersection of Sovereign and Fairmount Avenues in Atlantic City. According to authorities, Atlantic City Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area.
Surveillance footage captured Clark inside and outside the bar multiple times throughout the evening. Video shows him playing pool prior to the incident and later fleeing south on Sovereign Avenue. In the footage, Clark is seen pulling a handgun from his vest pocket, raising his arm, and firing multiple shots, as a muzzle flash was visible from his extended arm. Several people nearby were forced to duck for cover as shots rang out.
Authorities launched a manhunt for Clark following the shooting. On March 8, 2024, patrol units spotted him outside 100 South North Carolina Avenue. When approached by officers, Clark initially provided a false name and resisted arrest as backup units arrived. After a prolonged struggle, officers were able to take him into custody.
A search following his arrest led to the discovery of a loaded handgun containing two rounds of hollow point ammunition. Investigators later confirmed the weapon had been reported stolen from North Carolina. Ten suspected ecstasy pills were also found in Clark’s possession.
The handgun was submitted to the New Jersey State Lab for ballistic analysis, which confirmed it was the same weapon used in the February 2024 shooting.
Clark, who has a prior criminal record that prohibits him from possessing firearms, was charged with multiple weapons offenses in addition to the assault and obstruction charges.
With the sentencing now complete, Clark will serve a significant portion of his term before becoming eligible for parole, underlining the serious consequences of violent gun offenses in Atlantic County.
- Phil Murphy Wants to Tax the Fun Right Out of New Jersey, Literally
If taxing fun is your main concern, then New Jersey isn’t the state for you.
TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy is facing renewed opposition from Republican lawmakers over a proposal in his latest state budget that would impose sales taxes on a variety of recreational and participatory sports activities currently exempt under New Jersey law.
The proposal, part of the administration’s broader Participatory Sports initiative, would eliminate the existing sales tax exemption for patrons engaged in certain leisure activities, potentially raising costs for families across the state. The change would apply to activities such as bowling, mini golf, laser tag, skating, and more.
“Democrats are trying to tax fun and destroy what little enjoyment people have left,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), a vocal critic of the plan. He labeled the measure a “cash grab” and blamed what he called the Murphy administration’s “spending addiction.”
Under the proposed changes, patrons would begin paying sales tax on 13 popular activities, including go-kart rides, tennis court fees, golf driving ranges, swimming pool access, and paintball. These activities are currently exempt under state law.
Murphy’s office has not released detailed justifications for the inclusion of the tax changes, and Democratic lawmakers have yet to issue a formal response to the criticism. The governor’s full budget proposal is still under legislative review.
Recreational businesses could be impacted
If enacted, the measure could also affect small businesses that operate in the recreational sector, which may have to adjust pricing or operations to accommodate the new tax structure. It remains unclear when the proposed taxes would take effect or how much revenue they are projected to generate.
Republicans say the proposal unfairly targets everyday leisure enjoyed by working families and could discourage participation in youth sports and community activities.
- DPW official charged for stealing fuel from county gas depot for private company
MAYS LANDING, N.J. — A supervisor in the Atlantic County Department of Public Works has been charged with multiple offenses, including official misconduct, in connection with the unauthorized use of county-owned diesel fuel to power trucks for his private logistics business.
Joseph L. Ridley, 47, of Mays Landing, was charged Monday with second-degree official misconduct, second-degree pattern of official misconduct, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and third-degree conspiracy to commit theft. Authorities allege Ridley used his position within the Roads and Bridges Department to facilitate the fuel theft.
According to investigators, Atlantic County Fleet Management officials observed a large box truck being fueled at the county fueling station in Northfield on May 27. When questioned, the operators of the truck fled the scene. The incident led to an investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Standards and Accountability Unit.
Detectives discovered that Ridley had shared a diesel bypass code from the county’s fueling system with employees of his private company, Z5 Logistics LLC. This code allowed business vehicles to access county fuel without authorization.
Employees also charged in ongoing fuel theft probe
On June 2, detectives apprehended individuals connected to Z5 Logistics as they were fueling business trucks at the county facility. Alongside Ridley, three others were charged with disorderly persons offenses for theft by unlawful taking:
- Zakar Ridley, 26, of Mays Landing
- Jason Meredith, 34, of Absecon
- Corey Smith, 27, of Pleasantville
All three are accused of using county resources for private purposes without permission. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the total amount of fuel stolen and the financial impact on the county.
“This incident is currently being investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Standards and Accountability Unit,” officials stated.
The probe continues as prosecutors examine the extent of misuse and potential systemic vulnerabilities within the public works department.
