Six neighboring police departments in Camden and Gloucester counties have launched a joint initiative to make one of South Jersey’s busiest corridors safer.
Officers from Gloucester Township, Winslow Township, Pine Hill, Berlin Borough, Monroe Township and Washington Township joined forces on Sept. 2 for the Cross Keys Road Safe Passage Initiative, a high-visibility effort to curb aggressive driving behaviors and reduce crashes in the area.
Berlin-Cross Keys Road stretches across both Camden and Gloucester counties and intersects with major highways that include the Atlantic City Expressway and Black Horse Pike. The corridor – which accommodates between 25,000 and 30,000 vehicles a day – has been identified as a high-priority area due to the high number of crashes, some involving serious injuries, reported by data analysis.
“The timing of this operation is critical, as schools are back in session,” said Gloucester Township Police Chief David J. Harkins. “Protecting our children and ensuring safe roadways is more important than ever. By combining resources across jurisdictions, we aim to magnify our efforts and make Berlin-Cross Keys Road safer for all motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“Our goal is to prevent crashes and save lives through enforcement and education.”
During the first operation, officers conducted 243 traffic stops, issued 123 summonses and 161 warnings and made five arrests. Several drivers were clocked at speeds over 70 mph.
Targeted violations included speeding, failing to stop at intersections, unsafe lane changes, distrThose behaviors, police say, significantly increase the risk of serious crashes.
The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Response Investigation Team, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety are supporting the initiative.
Police say the enforcement effort is just one piece of the effort, which will be ongoing and include public education about safe driving. Increased patrols and a stronger police presence along Cross Keys Road are expected in the coming weeks.
Officers stress that road safety is a shared responsibility. Motorists are urged to slow down; avoid distractions; never drive impaired; and remain vigilant, especially near school buses and pedestrian-heavy areas. The six police departments hope their joint visibility will reinforce those guidelines in the region.
“This collaborative effort reflects our commitment to public safety,” Harkins explained. “When departments unite, the message is stronger: Reckless driving will not be tolerated on our roadways.”
A video highlighting the initiative can be viewed at https://youtu.be/svu9gVfT7kQ.
