N.J. state police to help patrol Asbury Park streets following spike in shootings

They’ve been called in, and now state troopers will be helping patrol the streets of Asbury Park.

The famous city on the Jersey Shore has seen a spike in violence that has community members angry and looking for answers. Will this be it?

This year, four people have been killed and at least 25 have been wounded in shootings in Asbury Park.

City Police Chief Mark Kinmon tells the Asbury Park Press around six troopers will focus on high crime areas one to two days a week.

State Police spokesman Lt. Stephen Jones says the patrols will be done as part of the troopers’ normal work schedule so they will not incur additional costs.

The police chief says the 83 officers in the department are not enough to address all the city’s needs. Kinmon says he would need closer to 100 officers. The department recently received a $625,000 federal grant for five new officers.

A city that has been long plagued by the influx of gangs, drugs, and violence, will the involvement of six state troopers curb the crime?

Only time will tell.