This blog is in effort to bring attention to victims like myself who have been ignored by the Non Functioning Atlantic City justice system!
One year ago, while on a weekend getaway with my husband, I was mugged and assaulted on the Boardward of Atlanic City, NJ. We went to check in our hotel, but our room wasn't ready yet. Our luggage was kindly stored and would be delivered to our room once availabe. I took anything of importance and or value and put it in my purse. I didn't want it to get stolen. This would later prove to be ironic. We left our hotel and walked 3 boardwalk blocks to a casino. We used our vouchers, had a little gambling fun and even won a little. We had tickets to listen to a celebrity speaker and were eager to settle into our room, shower and go onto the show. As my husband and I leisurely strolled down the boardwalk towards our hotel when I was attacked from behind. 2:30pm in the afternoon, in broad daylight, on the boardwalk, tourists everywhere, I was knocked over, my arm grabbed, twisted, wrist pulled, my purse with its entire contents ripped from my grasp. I lay there stuned as my husband ran after this low life. My husband leaps throwing all his weight on this scum, tackles him to the ground, only for him to throw my purse, like a football to his hommie on the corner ready to roll on his bike. A passer by grabs the person my husband tackeled, as he runs deeper into the ghetto, chasing the bike and my purse. In and out of alleys, he manages to loose my husband. While this is all going on, I yell to someone on the street to call 911. I have no phone no ID and have no idea where my husband has run off to. The police arrive, taking the original mugger into custody. They scour the area for my belongings, people yelling from apartment windows, it's here, no here, over here. I don't know if it is truth or if theyh are just trying to provide a decoy. Another officer ushers me in to the back of his patrol car, I begin to say, "I need to find my husband" the officer tells me for my safety I need to get into the car and assures me another officer with retrieve my husband. As I look around, we have wondered far from vacationland and into the heart of this violent city. I meet up with my husband at the station. Paper worked filed, charges pressed. Using the officers phone to cancell credit cards, call my bank, my mind is spinning. Now I am informed there will be several line-ups - but they all prove to be nothing. None of them the loser who has taken more than my possesions! The officers of Atlantic City went above and beyond that day. Making me feel safe, even getting us new tickets for the celebrity appearence. I am grateful to them.
I wanted to go right home, lock the door, close the blinds and hide. I was scarred, shaken and disgusted. M husband convinced my to stay the night. This was a gift from his daughter and thought we should salvage what was left of it. Truth is, he didn't want me to become a recluse, depressed. He said I should hold my head high, don't let THEM win.
We did go to our event, then to dinner. Anywhere and everywhere possible sharing my stories with boardwalk employees, casino workers. I learned that these types of stories were all too familiar to many. I was told on more than one occasion that I was lucky, I wasn't stabbed or shot or even worse. My jaw dropped as these locals were talking like they were discussing the weather. I warned every woman about their bags. Told them not to swing them so joyfully, hold onto them tight. They probubly thought I was crazy. I felt the need to protect someone else from what I indured.
We left early the next morning, heading straight to DMV to obtain another license. The entire drive, the face of my attacker haunting me.
When we arrived home, I went into a depression. Double checking the lock on every door and window, closing all the blinds. HE had all my information, I was afraid.
A few days passed and I received word that the mugger was in custody. A sigh of relief and hope of redemption. A few weeks passed and I received a letter with information on a judgement date. I didn't have to go and would be contacted with the info of future proceedings. The next letter came informing me, the original date was cancelled and rescheduled for a future date. What?! I made several phone calls and received nothing but a run around! Then all corespondence stopped. No more letters. No returning of phone calls. It was as if I didn't exist.
This brings us to present day. The police department of Atlantic City has gone through major reorganization. I am not even positive that the original officers on my case are still employed in Atlantic City. I can't get anywhere. I am currently sending letters to the mayor, the deputy police chief and my district politicians.
In the meantime, I can't express the disgust I have for this poor excuse for a vacation destination. Looking back on that day it amazes me how there was no police activity on or around the boardwalk! All those casinos, all that money, all the visitors and no protection for any of them. Why aren't there officers on foot or bike cruising the boardwalk? Where are they using their man power? Atlantic City is a corrupt, violent and dangerous. I am trying to break through the fascade of the glitz and glamour and show exactly what that city is. A gang infested ghetto land.
I advise and plead with everyone to spend their hard earned money elsewhere, anywhere else. Your support in boycotting the Atlantic City clubs, boardwalks and casinos is greatly appreciated. I am all for boosting the economy and supporting "local" business. However, when there is no protection or care for the hard earned money being spent and for my personal safety, I can think of 1,000s of other places my business would be appreciated and respected. I am not a voice that is easily silenced. I refuse to get pushed around a disfunctional system.
Please share your stories with others and know we are not alone!
