ATLANTIC CITY- The New Jersey State PBA unveiled a highway billboard Wednesday, aimed at drumming up support to save the Atlantic City Police Department from facing even more layoff's.

Standing along Route 30, state and local PBA officials stood in unity with police officers from around the region to unveil the state PBA's billboard aimed at drawing attention to save Atlantic City Police Officers. It reads, "In Atlantic City, everyone wants to get lucky-with 73 less police officers-even the bad guys feel lucky."

As the city struggles to balance its budget, 13 city police officers retired, 20 were laid off in June and more could be on the chopping block... and the PBA believes the city shouldn't be gambling on public safety. "The message is Atlantic City isn't taking public safety and security as a number one priority," said Anthony Wieners, President of NJ State PBA.

The PBA says each day, the police department protects and serves about 40 thousand residents and millions of visitors traveling by car, bus, and train- and they're hoping the billboard forces city government to take notice- and give them some options. "We all have to make tough decisions. When we push ourselves away from the table because we feel uncomfortable, we probably did the right thing and we're not there yet," said Dave Davidson, President of PBA Local 24.

The entire police force just recently received pink slips, preparing for 40 additional layoffs this September. And area residents are worried that things are just going to get worse. "I know it's going to get worse, I'm not worried…I'm very disappointed with Atlantic City government for cutting them at all," said St. James Place resident, Valencia Terrell.

But Mayor Lorenzo Langford believes with what the city calls a recent deployment of uniformed officers on the streets, things 'are' safer. "If they want to send the message, as the billboard suggests that Atlantic City is unsafe, perhaps we need state police to come in here," said Atlantic City Mayor, Lorenzo Langford.

And while the PBA says the city administration hasn't offered any concessions or alternatives to the layoffs, Langford says the PBA and the officers it represents haven't stepped up either. "They have not offered anything for their brothers and sisters...that's why I call them selfish, spoiled brats…it's shameful and tragic the PBA would resort to such juvenile antics."

But for Al Herbert, born and raised in Atlantic City and victim of the first round of department cuts, the billboard was necessary because after patrolling the city streets for the past few years, he knows just how bad things can get if more layoffs do occur. "It's a scary thought and easily a target...there's violent criminals in the city-it's a reality and not a lot of people know just how serious it is."

Mayor Lorenzo Langford says the city has asked the state for cap waiver relief; meaning if it is granted layoffs will be eliminated altogether. A meeting will be held September 8th to determine their fate.