Pair of South Jersey killings threatens sense of safety

PLEASANTVILLE - Two killings in less than a week have left Pleasantville leaders looking for ways to stop the violence and put residents at ease.

Najee Thompson, 22, of Pleasantville, was gunned down Wednesday on his porch, and Sultan Veney, 36, of Atlantic City, was found dead Sunday while slumped against a car, according to police. Despite the timing of the crimes — both overnight and days apart — investigators haven’t found any evidence indicating they are related, police Chief Sean Riggin told the Press of Atlantic City.

Officials said other departments have offered to lend manpower to help watch over targeted areas in the 7.2-square-mile city, and Riggin said he’s willing to consider every offer.

“When you have two homicides in less than a week, obviously, we need to do things a little differently,” Riggin said.

The city had no homicides in 2013 and three last year — all in December. Five people have been killed this year in the city of 20,000. Local NAACP chapter president Olivia Caldwell said it’s a “scary time” for residents.

“We have to live in these communities and coexist,” Caldwell said. “But what it does speak to is that we need more things for children to do. That’s an issue (in Pleasantville).”

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Information from: The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com