Atlantic City firehouse 2 and county prosecutor draw strong criticism from NAN

Photo Virginia McCabe
Members of the National Action Network speak to the media about
the debacle at Firehouse 2 in Atlantic City. (Center) President Steve 
Young, (Right) Vice President Gordon Sunkett.  

The local chapter of the National Action Network (NAN) says it's not a racial issue at the firehouse, it's the old boy’s network at hand

(See the slide show below)
Pizza for Sex at firehouse

The sexual encounter between an on-duty firefighter and two 16-year-old girls inside Firehouse 2 has a community group determined to move forward with a complaint to the New Jersey Attorney General after the local county prosecutor refused to file criminal charges in the matter. 

The local branch of the National Action Network sent a strong message to the community Thursday morning. They are not giving up on protecting the children near the firehouse, and they want to thank everybody, of every color and nationality, who offered them support. Including many white firemen who said they are disgusted with the shame brought on the fire department by one individual firefighter.

Officers from NAN, President Steve Young, Vice President Gordon Sunkett, Mahdi Salaam, and Michael “Big Mike” Johnson, along with other members said they were not surprised that the prosecutor did not file charges.

“We read the letter to (from Housel) Chief John Mooney,” said Sunkett. “What a joke.”

Read the full letter here

Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel stated there would be no criminal charges filed in the case because the alleged activity did not fit the statutes in New Jersey for criminal charges. House stated consensual sexual encounters between people aged 16 and above is not a crime unless there is a custodial relationship.

Sunkett and Young stressed to the assembled media that this issue was not a racial matter. They made a point of thanking people from various communities in Atlantic City for their support. They said they have heard from the Irish, Italian and Polish communities as well as many white people.

“This is not a black or white issue,” said Young. “This is a wrong or right issue.”

Sunkett said the NAN has been out at the firehouse every day making sure that the children walking to and from the high school do not come near Station 2. They plan to continue “policing” that area until there is a resolution to the matter.

The officers of NAN are also meeting with the New Jersey State Attorney General today, who has oversight of county prosecutors, to complain about the outcome of the investigation.

Young and Sunkett said they were also incensed that the case was not presented to the Atlantic County Grand Jury. Young also stressed that the alleged sexual encounter was a “human rights issue.”

“We would be just as upset if this was a white child,” said Young.

One member of the NAN asked for a screw driver to take down the yellow “safe place” sign on the firehouse wall. The sign is a symbol of a place where children in trouble can go for help.

The officers from NAN would not answer direct questions if they believed the contact between the firefighter was consensual.  One mother in the crowd did have an answer.

“This man needs to be locked up,” said Theresa McNair. “Even if a child comes onto you, you are the adult and you need to say no. It’s your job to say no!”

McNair said she lives around the corner from the firehouse and she expects city professionals to behave in a professional manner around children and young teens. She also was not happy that good firefighters were getting a black eye due to the alleged actions of one man.

“If you or I did this on the job, we would be suspended without pay or fired,” said McNair. “I can’t believe this is going on. “Right is right and wrong is wrong.”

3rd Ward Councilman Steven L. Ward is confident that Mayor Lorenzo Langford will perform a just administrative hearing regarding the matter. Ward said he was very concerned about all the children and teens in the area and throughout the city. He is paying close  attention to the outcome of this incident.

Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel did not immediately respond to a call placed to his office.

Mayor Lorenzo Langford was in a morning meeting but his Spokesperson Kevin Hall said the mayor would have a comment today or tomorrow after doing research into the matter. Fire Chief Dennis Brooks was in a meeting and unavaiable for an immediate comment.