The Asbury Park Community Development Initiative (APCDI) was formed by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Community Outreach Program in 2011. The APCDI is a coalition consisting of partners in law enforcement, along with faith-based, nonprofit, and educational entities within Asbury Park and Neptune Township.

The APCDI is one of seven municipal planning boards in New Jersey. The Municipal Planning Board Program was started by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (OAG) as a method to implement a crime-prevention strategy in New Jersey’s highest-crime areas. The Attorney General provides each planning board with a facilitator who helps with the logistics involved in maintaining an active coalition such as the APCDI. The coalition meets every 6–8 weeks and is open to any organization that shares a commitment to the community.

The overall objective of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Community Outreach Program is to enhance trust and communication between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The APCDI brings about a structured and proactive approach to community outreach and gives law enforcement a viable leadership role within the community in which it serves. The Mayor of Asbury Park and the Community Outreach Director of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office serve as co-chairs of the APCDI.

This collaboration has resulted in the creation of the following partnerships and programs:

The APCDI has been proud to assist, promote, and provide support for the mission set forth by members of the Asbury Park Police Department and their Police Athletic League (PAL) to build relationships between law enforcement and local youth. These programs have included:

  • PAL Boxing Gym;
  • PAL Basketball Program;
  • PAL Bowling League; and
  • PAL Wrestling Program.

The APCDI has also been part of seasonal community programs such as the Back-to-School backpack and bicycle giveaways, Summer Kickoff programs, Honor Day, and the Shop with a Cop Holiday Event.

The APCDI has also formed valuable partnerships with community groups that include:

Police Chaplaincy Program: Under the guidance of one of our faith-based leaders and the Asbury Park Police Department, there are eight sworn police chaplains serving the city on a 24-hour, 7-day call rotation. These police chaplains are formally trained and undergo periodic review. They help the police department with notifications, stationhouse adjustments, and counseling for both crime victims and police officers. More importantly, these chaplains serve as a direct conduit between law enforcement and the City’s faith-based community.