Ventnor City Police Department

06/17/2026

🚖 WHAT'S MY NAME? 🚖

Over the coming days, residents and visitors may notice new signs being placed throughout Ventnor City promoting rideshare safety and raising awareness of Sami's Law.

Sami's Law was enacted following the tragic 2019 murder of college student Samantha Josephson, who mistakenly entered a vehicle she believed was her rideshare. The law was designed to help protect rideshare passengers and encourage safe practices when using services such as Uber and Lyft.

The signs feature the acronym S.A.M.I., reminding riders to:

🛑 Stop - Before entering any vehicle, take a moment to verify your ride.
❓ Ask - Ask the driver, "Who are you here for?" rather than offering your name first.
✅ Match - Match the vehicle's make, model, license plate, and driver information to what appears in your rideshare app.
📱 Inform - Let a friend or family member know your travel plans and share your trip details through the rideshare app when available.

The campaign's message is simple:

Whether you're heading home from dinner, a night out, a concert, or a special event, taking a few extra seconds to verify your ride can make all the difference.

The Ventnor City Police Department is proud to support efforts that promote public safety and help educate our community on ways to reduce risk and stay safe.

06/12/2026

Today, members of the Ventnor City Police Department were honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at their 2026 Awards Ceremony for their commitment to keeping our roadways safe.

Officer Blake Ballin and former Ventnor City Police Officer Chelsea Burns, now Detective Chelsea Burns with the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, were both presented with the 2026 Recognition of Excellence Award. This award recognizes their proactive efforts in identifying and removing impaired drivers from our roadways, helping to make Ventnor City a safer community for our residents and visitors.

Between 2024 and today, Officer Ballin and Detective Burns were responsible for 26 of the 42 drunk driving arrests made in Ventnor City. Their dedication to traffic safety and impaired driving enforcement has undoubtedly prevented countless tragedies and contributed significantly to public safety. During her tenure with the Ventnor City Police Department, Detective Burns also served as the department's Drug Recognition Expert, utilizing her specialized training to identify and investigate impaired drivers.

Chief Joseph Wootton was proud to accompany Officer Ballin and Detective Burns as they received this well-deserved recognition.

The Ventnor City Police Department congratulates Officer Ballin and Detective Burns on this outstanding achievement and thanks them for their continued dedication to protecting the public and keeping our roadways safe.

06/12/2026

Last night, the Ventnor City Board of Commissioners recognized and honored Dispatcher Gerald Schaffer as he prepares to retire at the end of June 2026, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary career in public service spanning more than 50 years.

Gerald's journey with the Ventnor City Police Department began in 1975 when he was appointed as a Special Patrolman. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as Chief of Police from 1991 to 2000. Following his retirement as Chief, Gerald's commitment to serving the residents of Ventnor did not end. In 2001, he returned to the department as a police dispatcher, beginning a second chapter of service that would span an additional 25 years.

For generations of residents, visitors, and police officers, Gerald was often the first voice they heard during moments of crisis, uncertainty, or need. His calm demeanor, professionalism, compassion, and dedication helped guide countless people through difficult situations and provided unwavering support to the officers he served alongside.

With more than 50 years of service to public safety, Gerald Schaffer has exemplified dedication, honor, loyalty, and selfless commitment to the community. His career stands as a remarkable example of what it means to serve others.

On behalf of the members of the Ventnor City Police Department, past and present, and the citizens of Ventnor City, we extend our sincere gratitude for your decades of service and wish you a long, healthy, and well-deserved retirement.

Congratulations, Jerry, and thank you for over 50 years of service to the Ventnor City community. Your legacy will not be forgotten.

06/03/2026

The Ventnor City Police Department family would like to express its support and prayers for the Atlantic City Police Department. Two Atlantic City Police Officers were senselessly shot while performing their duties yesterday. These officers, like all law enforcement officers across the state and country, routinely put their lives at risk in the service of the public.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones for these officers. Know that the entire Law Enforcement community stands by you as you go through these difficult times.

In light of these events, a GoFundMe has been set up to support the recovery of one of the involved officers. If anyone is looking for a way to assist, they can click the link below.

https://gofund.me/04ac58bb0

06/01/2026

Police Blotter May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026

Adult Arrests:

A 35-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ was arrested by Ofc. Whalen and charged with Shoplifting on May 6, 2026.

A 47-year-old female from Absecon NJ was arrested by Ofc. Gaffney and charged with Shoplifting on May 6, 2026.

A 19-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Guanchez and charged with Shoplifting on May 7, 2026.

A 33-year-old male from Freehold NJ was charged by Ofc. Kennelly with Assault by Auto on May 8, 2026.

A 29-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested and charged by Ofc. Aiuto and Gorham with DWI and Obstruction on May 9, 2026.

A 34-year-old female from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Connon and charged with Shoplifting on May 9, 2026.

A 44-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Connon and charged with Shoplifting on May 9, 2026.

A 64-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Szaniszlo and charged with Theft on May 9, 2026.

A 38-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was charged by Ofc. Connon with Criminal Attempt on May 10, 2026.

A 44-year-old female from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Quinn and charged with Shoplifting on May 10, 2026.

A 64-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was charged by Ofc. Guanchez with Terroristic Threats on May 11, 2026.

A 26-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. Was arrested by Ofc. Ballin and charged with DWI on May 13, 2026.

A 44-year-old male from Medford NJ was arrested by Ofc. Miranda and charged with Defiant Trespassing and Shoplifting on May 13, 2026.

A 51-year-old male from Margate NJ was arrested by Ofc. Miranda and charged with Shoplifting on May 14, 2026.

A 43-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Newell and charged with Burglary on May 16, 2026.

A 47-year-old male from Pleasantville NJ was arrested by Ofc. Whalen and charged with Possession of CDS and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on May 17, 2026.

A 46-year-old female from Ocean View NJ was arrested by Ofc. Whalen and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Endangering the Welfare of Children on May 20, 2026.

A 20-year-old female from Ocean View NJ was arrested by Ofc. Mirande and charged with DWI on May 23, 2026.

A 62-year-old male from Pleasantville NJ was arrested by Ofc. Szaniszlo and charged with Shoplifting on May 24, 2026.

A 51-year-old male from Margate NJ was arrested by Ofc. Vitanza and charged with Shoplifting on May 26, 2026.

A 43-year-old male from Bridgeton NJ was arrested by Ofc. Szaniszlo and charged with Shoplifting on May 27, 2026.

A 41-year-old female from Malaga NJ was arrested by Ofc. Connon and charged with Shoplifting and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on May 27, 2026.

A 19-year-old male from Vineland NJ was arrested by Ofc. Connon and charged with Shoplifting on May 27, 2026.

A 65-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was charged by Ofc. Hernandez with Theft of a Motor Vehicle on May 27, 2026.

A 19-year-old male from Philadelphia PA was arrested by Sgt. J. Franco and charged with Shoplifting on May 30, 2026.

A 38-year-old male from Lafayette Hill PA was arrested by Ofc. Ballin and charged with Obstruction on May 31, 2026.

Juvenile Arrests:

A 16-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Guanchez and charged with Shoplifting and Possession of CDS on May 7, 2026.

• These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Vehicle Burglaries: 4
6400 Blk. Monmouth Avenue
Unit South Blk. Oakland Avenue
Unit South Blk. Swarthmore Avenue
Unit South Blk. New Haven Avenue

Burglaries: 2
Unit South Blk. Little Rock Avenue
Unit South Blk. Oakland Avenue

Criminal Attempt: 1
200 Blk. North Dorset Avenue

Total Calls for Service: 1,674
Ambulance Assists: 106
Domestic Violence: 16
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 26
Fire Dept. Assists: 66
DWI: 3
Arrests: 45
Warrant Arrests: 18

***The Ventnor City Police Department wants to remind the public to remove all valuables from their vehicles and always check that their vehicle is locked. Most vehicle burglaries occur from vehicles that were found to be unlocked. ***

05/19/2026

The Ventnor City Police Department is seeking the public’s help with an incident of vandalism that occurred over the weekend. This past weekend unknown individual(s) threw several large rocks onto the newly refurbished pickleball courts. This is the second incident of vandalism that has occurred in this area over the past several weeks. In the beginning of May the female bathrooms were also damaged. If anyone has any information or possible video of suspicious people in the area, they are asked to contact the Police Department at (609)822-2101.

04/15/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring Police Officers! 🚨

The Ventnor City Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Full-Time Police Officer.

At this time, we are seeking applicants from the following categories:

• New Jersey Civil Service Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) eligible officers currently employed by a Civil Service law enforcement agency
• New Jersey Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II (SLEO II) who completed a commingled police academy and are eligible to be waivered to a full-time officer position

This is an excellent opportunity to join a professional law enforcement agency serving the community of Ventnor City.

📅 Application Period: Now through April 30, 2026

Interested candidates can apply through PoliceApp at the link below:
🔗 https://www.policeapp.com/Certified-Ventnor-City-NJ-Police-Officer-Jobs/1855/

Please feel free to share this post with qualified officers who may be interested in joining our department.

The City of Ventnor is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Learn more about the hiring requirements and apply for Ventnor City, New Jersey Full-Time Police Officer – Civil Service Transfer (IGT) / Eligible SLEO II Job

04/15/2026

The Ventnor City Police Department would like to advise the public of a potential Fraudulent Scam taking place. The police department received a complaint that an individual was contacted by someone impersonating as a member of the Ventnor Police City Department Administration. The caller had implied that the individual was in legal trouble and needed to turn over personal and banking information. This is a scam being used to gather individuals’ information and the public should know that no members of the Ventnor City Police Department would be contacting them asking questions regarding banking information. If anyone has or does receive such calls Do Not give out banking information. Please contact your local police department to report any similar incidents such as this one.

04/15/2026

Police Blotter March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026

Adult Arrests:

A 21-year-old female from Mays Landing NJ was arrested by Ofc. Leidy and charged with Shoplifting on March 5, 2026.

A 39-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Snyder and charged with Shoplifting, Defiant Trespassing and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on March 7, 2026.

A 70-year-old female from Margate City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Le and charged with Defiant Trespassing on March 8, 2026.

A 64-year-old male from Mays Landing NJ was arrested by Sgt. M. Franco and charged with Disorderly Conduct on March 9, 2026.

A 40-year-old female from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Quinn and charged with Possession of CDS on March 14, 2026.

A 18-year-old male from Margate City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Gorham and charged with Shoplifting on March 14, 2026.

A 31-year-old female from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Miranda and charged with Shoplifting on March 14, 2026.

A 31-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Gorham and charged with Harassment on March 14, 2026.

A 34-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Hernandez and charged with Aggravated Assault Strangulation, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Weapons Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of Weapons on March 14, 2026.

A 60-year-old female from Pleasantville NJ was arrested by Ofc. Szaniszlo and charged with Shoplifting on March 15, 2026.

A 44-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ was arrested by Ofc. Rivera and charged with Shoplifting on March 17, 2026.

A 21-year-old female from Galloway NJ was arrested by Ofc. Aiuto and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Terroristic Threats and Throwing Bodily Fluids at a Police Officer on March 18, 2026.

A 44-year-old female from Camden NJ was arrested by Ofc. Connon and charged with Shoplifting on March 19, 2026.

A 33-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ was arrested by Ofc. Kennelly and charged with Harassment on March 21, 2026.

A 21-year-old female from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Gaffney and charged with Shoplifting and Hindering on March 21, 2026.

A 60-year-old female from Pleasantville NJ was arrested by Ofc. Szaniszlo and charged with Shoplifting on March 23, 2026.

A 21-year-old male from Brooklyn NY was arrested by Ofc. Quinn and charged with Aggravated Assault Strangulation and Aggravated Assault on March 23, 2026.

A 28-year-old male from Margate City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Aiuto and charged with Shoplifting on March 23, 2026.

A 18-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Sgt. Henao and charged with Shoplifting on March 25, 2026.

A 33-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ was arrested by Ofc. Liriano and charged with Contempt on March 26, 2026.

A 39-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Kennelly and charged with Shoplifting on March 26, 2026.

A 33-year-old female from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Ballin and charged with DWI on March 26, 2026.

A 35-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ was arrested by Ofc. Vitanza and charged with Shoplifting on March 27, 2026.

A 83-year-old female from Margate City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Miranda and charged with DWI on March 27, 2026.

A 33-year-old male from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Miranda and charged with Simple Assault on March 28, 2026.

A 35-year-old male from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ was arrested by Ofc. Liriano and charged with Shoplifting on March 30, 2026.

A 72-year-old female from Ventnor City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Le and charged with Defiant Trespassing and Disorderly Conduct on March 31, 2026.

A 18-year-old male from Atlantic City NJ was arrested by Ofc. Le and charged with Shoplifting on March 31, 2026.

Juvenile Arrests:

• These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Vehicle Burglaries: 3
Unit North Lafayette Avenue
Unit North Swarthmore Avenue
Unit North Washington Avenue

Burglaries: 0

Criminal Attempt:

Total Calls for Service: 1,414
Ambulance Assists: 116
Domestic Violence: 18
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 9
Fire Dept. Assists: 66
DWI: 2
Arrests: 39
Warrant Arrests: 11

***The Ventnor City Police Department wants to remind the public to remove all valuables from their vehicles and always check that their vehicle is locked. Most vehicle burglaries occur from vehicles that were found to be unlocked. ***

04/09/2026

The Ventnor City Police Department would like to advise the public of a traffic advisory in affect for this coming Sunday April 12, 2026. The April Fools Half Marathon and 8K will be taking place. For this year, the racecourse will cover the entire length of Atlantic Avenue in Ventnor along with portion of the Boardwalk. No Parking will be allowed on the South side of Atlantic Avenue for the entire route. Additionally, No Parking will be allowed on the beach blocks of Washington, New Haven and Jackson Avenues. The restricted times for No Parking will be from 4am till 12pm on Sunday April 12, 2026. Eastbound traffic on Atlantic Avenue will be reduced to one lane. Bicycles will also not be allowed on the boardwalk during the race times. There will be a high presence of law enforcement along the racecourse. Motorists should expect delays and plan accordingly.