Port Authority PBA Endorses Governor Jon Corzine for Re-Election

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.-(Business Wire)-September 25, 2009 - Gus Danese, President of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association (PBA), announced today the PBA’s endorsement of Governor Jon Corzine for re-election.

“I have nearly 1,500 police officers who are on the frontline fighting crime and terrorism everyday. I expect a governor to support my cops in their efforts to keep the people of New Jersey safe. Jon Corzine is that governor,” said Danese. Danese went on to say Governor Corzine, “…is tough on all crime not just the selective crime some prosecutors take on for celebrity.”

“Governor Corzine has shown an unwavering commitment to put more cops on the street in New Jersey, and that is vital to protect our communities against crime and potential terrorist acts,” PBA President Danese stated. Governor Corzine has worked with the Obama Administration to bring in 27 million dollars in federal aid to put more police officers on the street. He has also targeted gang violence by creating after school programs and his Safe Streets and Neighborhood Initiative to coordinate law enforcement efforts to target street gangs.

Governor Corzine has aggressively moved to rid the streets of illegal handguns. “Handguns are the most likely weapon to be used in crime and because they can be concealed easily, they present the most danger to working police officers,” Danese stated. Governor Corzine was able to get restrictions on the purchase of handguns through the “one gun a month” legislation and has worked effectively with Congress to oppose federal concealed carry permit legislation which would have permitted out of state gun owners to carry weapons across state lines.

Governor Corzine’s anti-crime agenda has yielded impressive declines in violent crime rates and the Governor has overseen New Jersey’s first consecutive-year (2007 & 2008) decrease in homicides. “We are going in the right direction behind a leader who understands and supports the vital role that police officers play in our communities,” Danese stated.

Beyond his support of our work protecting the citizens of New Jersey, Governor Corzine also recognizes the sacrifice that police officers and their families make every day. “From his days as a United States Senator until now, Jon Corzine has been involved in helping the families of our fallen officers," First Vice President and President-Elect of the Port Authority PBA Paul Nunziato stated. “Anything that he could do for those families, he was there,” Nunziato added. Thirty-seven members of the Port Authority Police Department were killed in the September 11^th attacks. Governor Corzine also created a Task Force on Police Suicide to address the growing problem of stress on police officers from being on the front lines of America’s battle to secure our nation against terrorists.

“Governor Corzine is committed to representing the needs of our members and preserving the security of this state,” said PAPBA President Gus Danese. “We are endorsing his re-election because he has always stood with us on the issues that matter. This Governor stands with us and we are proud to stand behind him.”

For more information, please contact the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association at (201) 871-2100 or visit our website at www.papba.org.

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