(MIDDLETOWN, AUGUST 7) - New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani visited New Jersey Tuesday afternoon to announce that he was endorsing the campaign of Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Bret Schundler, because of Schundler’s record of fighting crime, keeping taxes stable, and reducing unemployment as Mayor of Jersey City.

“In Jersey City, we reduced crime and held the line on property taxes by using our resources more effectively and efficiently,” Schundler said. “We have the tools and resources to reduce crime. But we need to focus on how we use them as we did in Jersey City. As Governor I will give mayors across New Jersey the tools they need to accomplish those same goals.”

Mayor Giuliani echoed Mayor Schundler’s views.

“What Bret did in Jersey City during the 1990’s to bring the crime numbers down should stand as a model for other cities in New Jersey and across the country,” Giuliani said.

Mayor Schundler recently unveiled an anti-crime proposal called Project Blue Print which he will implement if he wins the election. Project Blue Print will put up to 1,000 more police officers on street patrols by providing grants to local police departments. The grants will allow the departments to hire civilians to take on administrative and clerical police duties. This will free those officers to move to street patrol duty.

Project Blue Print will also give state-of-the-art technology to local police departments and county prosecutors. The computer technology will allow law enforcement to map and analyze the date, time and location of crimes. This technology will help law enforcement spot crime patterns early and adjust resources accordingly.

Giuliani pointed out that with two mayors running against each other, voters will have the opportunity to compare records when making a choice.

During Schundler’s term as Mayor of Jersey City, violent crime decreased by 28 percent, property taxes were stable, and unemployment was cut in half. During McGreevey’s term as Mayor of Woodbridge, city debt is up by 30 percent, violent crime is up by 21 percent and property taxes are up by 59 percent.

“In this contest between two mayors, Bret Schundler is the clear choice for New Jersey,” Giuliani said.

Monmouth County Republican Chairman Bill Dowd, Middletown Mayor Joan Smith and Chief of Police John F. Pollinger joined Schundler and Giuliani at the press conference. Later in the evening Schundler and Giuliani are scheduled to attend a fundraiser for the Monmouth County Republican Committee.