Force and Race
The data team at NJ.com has another story from their use-of-force database, this one focused on racial disparities, which found that, statewide, based on population, “a black person is 229 percent more likely to have any type of force used on them compared to someone who is white.”
The numbers vary a lot from town to town. For example, in Atlantic City, based on population, a black person was 35% less likely to have force used on him than a white person (based on 2,854 force reports across 5 years). In Millville, a black person was 581% more likely to have force used, by population. But the police chief there said, reportedly, “It doesn’t concern me ’cause there’s no concern about it.”
Taxes
The state senate is expected to approve today a law that would allow small businesses to avoid a tax increase from the Trump Administration’s tax bill last winter. Wait, I thought that Trump thing was a tax cut? Maybe it was a tax cut for small-business owners who also own private helicopters.
Gerrymandering
A vote on the “controversial” (i.e. patently terrible) gerrymandering plan the Democrats proposed to give themselves an electoral advantage in state races has been pulled, amid opposition from just about everyone but the guys who proposed it. What if this was a sign people cared about issues? Dare to dream…
For more feats of journalism…
OPRA advocates file lawsuit, audit Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office–Over the past few months, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has been under fire from two public records advocates who say the office’s form isn’t legal and they are wrongfully denying records. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Special mailbox for Santa pops up in Atlantic City–Santa’s helpers are making sure kids around Atlantic City have a way to get their letters to the jolly old elf. And even get one in return. breakingac.com
Ventnor live Nativity shares the meaning of Christmas–VENTNOR – Holy Trinity Parish at St. James Church held its annual Live Nativity Friday, Dec. 14 on the grounds of the church. www.downbeach.com
OCEAN CITY NAILS FREE THROWS IN FINAL MINUTE TO HOLD OFF HARD-CHARGING ATLANTIC CITY–OCEAN CITY — There’s a reason the Ocean City girls basketball team is in contention for a South Jersey Group 3 championship every year. The Red Raiders don’t get rattled in pressure-packed, late-game situations, and seem to have a knack for making enough buckets and free throws down the stretch to pull out wins against tough opponents. glorydaysonline.com
Atlantic City’s PBA tried to halt promotions, but judge rules department can move ahead–An Atlantic County Superior Court judge ruled Friday to allow Atlantic City to make “acting” promotions within its police department as the legal process plays out between the state and the local police union, which filed a lawsuit earlier this year to halt all promotions indefinitely. www.nj.com
Sonny McCullough’s long and winding road back to Atlantic City–EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Longtime Republican Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough, who retires from politics this month, wasn’t afraid to buck the power structure in his own party or reach across the aisle. www.pressofatlanticcity.com