NEWARK – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) opened the doors of its new field division on Friday, April 4 — the 25th in the country.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) joined with Reps. Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ-09) and Donald M. Payne (D-NJ-10) as well as ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Christopher J. Christie to open the new field office in Newark. The office will better focus the ATF’s resources in the region to fight against violent crime, prevent terrorism and protect the nation, according to a recent press release.
The Newark ATF division encompasses all of New Jersey and will enhance bureau's ability to combat violent criminal gangs and organizations, share information and intelligence with its law enforcement partners while working through such ATF-led initiatives as the Violent Crime Impact Team.
“ATF’s first priority is safeguarding New Jersey from firearms — and gang-related violence,” ATF Acting Director Sullivan said. “By strategically realigning ATF field offices and working with our law enforcement partners; the U.S. attorney and county prosecutors, legislators, and the community, ATF will better be able to achieve its goals in the region. With New Jersey’s commitment to trace every gun used in the commission of a crime via the New Jersey State Police and ATF, we will make our communities safer.”
The benefits to the region include enhanced working relationships with state and local partners, as well as other federal agencies currently working in the region. Partnerships with regulated industry associations will continue, as there are approximately 300 federal firearms licensees and more than 100 explosives licensees and permittees that fall under the purview of the new field division.
Matthew W. Horace will serve as the special agent in charge of the Newark Field Division. Horace previously served as the acting in the same capacity for the Denver Field Division before coming to Newark. Previous positions include the assistant special agent in charge of the Seattle Field Division and several high-level positions at ATF headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) joined with Reps. Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ-09) and Donald M. Payne (D-NJ-10) as well as ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Christopher J. Christie to open the new field office in Newark. The office will better focus the ATF’s resources in the region to fight against violent crime, prevent terrorism and protect the nation, according to a recent press release.
The Newark ATF division encompasses all of New Jersey and will enhance bureau's ability to combat violent criminal gangs and organizations, share information and intelligence with its law enforcement partners while working through such ATF-led initiatives as the Violent Crime Impact Team.
“ATF’s first priority is safeguarding New Jersey from firearms — and gang-related violence,” ATF Acting Director Sullivan said. “By strategically realigning ATF field offices and working with our law enforcement partners; the U.S. attorney and county prosecutors, legislators, and the community, ATF will better be able to achieve its goals in the region. With New Jersey’s commitment to trace every gun used in the commission of a crime via the New Jersey State Police and ATF, we will make our communities safer.”
The benefits to the region include enhanced working relationships with state and local partners, as well as other federal agencies currently working in the region. Partnerships with regulated industry associations will continue, as there are approximately 300 federal firearms licensees and more than 100 explosives licensees and permittees that fall under the purview of the new field division.
Matthew W. Horace will serve as the special agent in charge of the Newark Field Division. Horace previously served as the acting in the same capacity for the Denver Field Division before coming to Newark. Previous positions include the assistant special agent in charge of the Seattle Field Division and several high-level positions at ATF headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Newark management team will be made up of an assistant special agent in charge, a division operations officer, a director of industry operations position and support staff.
The New Jersey Field Division comprises nearly 40 special agents and industry operations investigators. Other resources include certified fire investigators and certified explosives specialists. The arrangement of the field division and satellite offices will allow for staffing growth opportunities within the division as funding is made available.
The new field division consists of existing criminal enforcement offices and an industry operations office in West Paterson, previously assigned to the New York Field Division, and criminal enforcement offices in Camden, Trenton and Atlantic City that have been realigned from the Philadelphia Field Division.
The Newark Field Division is temporarily located at 1 Garret Mountain Plaza, West Paterson, until a permanent space is located in Newark.
Division office personnel can be reached at 973-413-1179.
The New Jersey Field Division comprises nearly 40 special agents and industry operations investigators. Other resources include certified fire investigators and certified explosives specialists. The arrangement of the field division and satellite offices will allow for staffing growth opportunities within the division as funding is made available.
The new field division consists of existing criminal enforcement offices and an industry operations office in West Paterson, previously assigned to the New York Field Division, and criminal enforcement offices in Camden, Trenton and Atlantic City that have been realigned from the Philadelphia Field Division.
The Newark Field Division is temporarily located at 1 Garret Mountain Plaza, West Paterson, until a permanent space is located in Newark.
Division office personnel can be reached at 973-413-1179.
