HAMMONTON, NJ – The Atlantic County District Attorney’s Office is launching its new Safe Place initiative, the first program of its kind in South Jersey.

The goal of the initiative is to protect victims of hate crimes and significantly improve the lives of Atlantic County residents.

It’s called the Safe Place program and is an original idea from Seattle, Washington, that is now being introduced in South Jersey.

“By bringing it to Atlantic County, we are showing Atlantic County residents and businesses that law enforcement cares about every person in the community,” said Caryn Campanelli, a criminal investigator with the Atlantic County District Attorney’s Office.

The Safe Place initiative aims to address bias-related incidents and hate crimes based on race, color, religion and even sexual orientation.

So how does it work?

Businesses in the area are agreeing to participate by placing this sticker here that reads: “This location is a safe place where victims of hate crimes and harassment can call 911 and wait for the police to arrive.”

Casciano’s Coffee Bar and Sweetery is the first location in Hammonton to join this initiative.

“If anyone needs help, whether it’s a hate crime or any other police matter or emergency, we’re coming. It doesn’t matter who you are or what it is,” said one employee at the coffee bar. He added: “Walk through the doors, they provide you with a safe place to wait, they help you call the police if you need help, but it’s a safe place to come if you need help.”

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel says initiatives like this are important.

“Even though the response time is usually very short, people want and should feel safe immediately. It’s a great thing that there are businesses in our community willing to display this sticker to serve as a safe point of contact for police,” he said.

And Atlantic County prosecutors hope other businesses will join in with these stickers to let people know they are in a safe place.

“It’s so important that these types of spaces exist because there are so many people from all different backgrounds who feel unsupported and unsafe when they actually need help,” explains Shavonne Davis, director of public relations for the Atlantic County District Attorney’s Office.

“Casciano’s is a pioneer for companies in the region, as others are already following suit.”

The store owner said, in part, “As a business owner of a community gathering place, I feel a responsibility to ensure that my employees and customers feel safe from any prejudice based on their race, gender identity or sexual orientation.”

“Growing up, I was always taught that if you want safety, you have to go to a police officer. Go to them and they will help you. Not everyone has that life experience,” said one resident.