Bilingual police officers needed in southern New Jersey

BRIDGETON, N.J. (AP) — Bridgeton Patrolman Christian Acevedo's visit to the J & M variety store began with a simple "Hola, como estas," which was met with smiles from those inside and led to a conversation with the woman working the counter.

The two spoke in Spanish, and Acevedo left with a request from the woman for extra patrols to watch for some people who were acting suspiciously in her neighborhood.

The 25-year-old Acevedo believes his ability to speak Spanish and his Puerto Rican ancestry made it easier for the woman to ask for help. That's something she might not have done with a non-Hispanic officer who spoke only English and didn't understand Hispanic culture, he said. "It makes