Atlantic City Homeless Keep Sneaking Inside Casino Resorts, Tropicana Official Says
Posted on: March 3, 2025, 12:59h.
Last updated on: March 3, 2025, 03:42h.
- Homelessness is a major problem in Atlantic City
- Casinos say homeless people sneak in
- When they’re evicted, many quickly return
Homeless people in Atlantic City have caused much unrest for casinos, as operators say those lacking housing continually sneak into the resorts for shelter.
Speaking last week at the Atlantic City Clean & Safe meeting, Tropicana Vice President of Casino Operations Chris Downey told the state government committee that homeless people have presented major security concerns for the nine casinos in town. Downey said the homeless have sought warmth and shelter this winter by sneaking into the massive properties and trying to hide from security personnel.
We’ve been completely overrun. We’re evicting about 20 people a day. We evicted 13 Friday morning alone,” Downey said in comments first reported by The Press of Atlantic City.
“They are back within 15 to 20 minutes,” Downey continued. “They are getting more aggressive and refusing to leave. It’s becoming a challenge.”
The 2024-25 winter has been colder than normal for much of the Northeast, including Atlantic City. The casino capital of the East Coast has also experienced higher-than-normal snowfall.
Atlantic City Clean & Safe Initiative
The Atlantic City Clean & Safe initiative was authorized through state legislation passed and signed into law by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) in 2011.
The statute created the Clean & Safe Fund, held by the state’s Treasury Department, for public safety expenses, streetscape improvements, roadway median improvements, beautification, wayfinding, lighting, cleaning equipment, waste receptacles, sidewalk repair, and other maintenance. The Clean & Safe Fund is primarily funded with casino tax revenue, specifically the Investment Alternative Tax (IAT).
Clean & Safe officials said the City Council is likely to vote on an initiative in April that would establish a rental assistance program to provide shelter to homeless people for up to two years. The program would require those individuals to utilize support services during that time to train for future employment.
All Atlantic City Council matters must be approved by the state, which has retained control of the local city government since 2016. Incoming Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) Public Safety Director Sean Riggin told Downey that the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office continues to conduct regular sweeps of the Boardwalk in search of the homeless to offer them shelter and services. Riggin added that homelessness will be a focus of his work once he formally begins his new role on March 9.
Atlantic City Security Concerns
The Clean & Safe program has allowed the ACPD to hire more than 50 patrol officers and 34 casino security guards. Clean & Safe also established the city’s Violent Crime Task Force, upgraded lighting citywide, restored the Boardwalk, demolished 44 abandoned and condemned buildings, and cleaned graffiti and trash from parks and playgrounds.
Atlantic City has also developed the “Eyes on Atlantic City” intelligence network, which utilizes more than 450 privately owned cameras.
Data has successfully aided in capturing footage of criminal activity and getting that footage into the hands of law enforcement rapidly,” the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office wrote in a Clean & Safe update. “The surveillance footage not only aids in increased public safety by expanding police presence but also can serve as a non-biased third-party witness.”
Despite the many efforts to improve Atlantic City, the casino town still has one of the highest crime rates in America. That’s according to Neighborhood Scout, which reports that Atlantic City’s crime rate is 87 incidences per 1,000 residents.
Neighborhood Scout gives Atlantic City a “Total Crime Index” score of 0 out of 100. “Safer than 0% of US cities,” the website reads.
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Last Comments ( 6 )
The " homeless" situation in AC is a disgrace.Many "homeless" show no respect towards anyone but yet expect respect.To hire more people to assist with the problem is just a way of more baw management of a situation. To hide a negative situation with drugs or alcohol only invites more negative solutions. Each and every case shound be looked at with a openmind.That doesn't take money.That takes guts.
As a visitor to AC I've always noticed the homeless and mentally deranged It never seems to improve Being constantly on the lookout is not a positive for a travel destination A couple of years ago a prostitute flashed her breasts as I was walking towards the Tropicana In broad daylight The men near her were also threatening looking No one likes this 'ambiance' when you're on a pleasure trip
It is an ongoing problem and it is going to continue until on stops blaming the other and sit down a try to make something work how come Vegas doesn't have this problem
As someone who’s been homeless in Atlantic City, and worked in the casinos, I feel as though I can put in my input. While yes, dealing with the homeless sneaking into casinos for a warm place to sleep isn’t the best for casino workers, there aren’t many housing programs in Atlantic City for these homeless people. Yes there is the Covenant House for homeless young adults, and the Mission for anyone who is a homeless adult, but it’s not enough to combat the influx of homeless people. There isn’t enough being done to make sure the homeless are sleeping somewhere safe and warm. Due to the cold weather that hits Atlantic City during the fall and winter months, it’s especially harder for the unhoused to survive. There are many who have passed away due to hypothermia during those times as well. So if the Altantic City casinos wish to fix the issue that they have with the homeless sneaking into casinos for a warm place to sleep, then it’s up to it’s municipal government to ensure that there are more places and more resources for the homeless to turn to.
Lmao this is too funny - Maybe Miss Tene can help out from her busy activities of working the restrooms?
At least he trying and making a improvement to make it safe.I also had a few people that a know that got robbed by a prostitutes that they would bring back to room.And they would get drunker or put drugs in the drinks and knock them out.Then they would call their pimp to the room and take cash and credit cards from them and wake finally wake up hours later.One guy came back 1 year later and seen the same one who robbed him,he was afraid to report when it first happened because he was married.Been there many times just like New York City always stay on your guard be aware of your surroundings at all times,watch out for scams.