A New Jersey mayor is fighting his own state, blaming bail laws for a major spike in car thefts. Some cases include brazen burglars breaking into suburban homes and making off with the families’ cars.
According to crime data from the New Jersey State Police, thousands of cars are stolen across the state each year. Authorities say he’s part of an auto theft ring. Many vehicles end up in salvage yards or are even shipped abroad.
Now, the mayor of Middletown, New Jersey, has announced that he is suing the state, blaming New Jersey’s bail reform policy for the rise in car thefts. Mayor Tony Perry said rising crime is costing taxpayers big money and their peace of mind. He is calling for tougher sentences and charges to help deter criminals.
New Jersey’s mayor talks about bail reform affecting rising crime. (FoxNews)
“They eliminated cash bail. So, in essence, our court system has become a customer service business, in all honesty,” Mayor Perry said.
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According to Monmouth County crime data, there were fewer than 140 carjackings in 2017. That’s the same year New Jersey’s bail reform law was enacted. Fast forward to last year, where the county reported more than 600 stolen cars. That’s more than 300% over a five-year period.
Local officials are calling on federal authorities to investigate the auto theft ring, as both sides of the aisle in the county are calling on the state to make policy changes that they believe is failing.
New Jersey crime statistics regarding vehicle thefts. (FoxNews)
“Bail reform is to blame because we’ve created a culture. We’ve created a sense that when you commit a crime, you could go years without seeing a trial,” Mayor Perry said.
The problem is getting so big that the governor of New Jersey has allocated $10 million to add automatic license plate readers and more resources to curb the rise in car thefts.
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A spokesman for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared the following statement with Fox News:
Security camera footage of a carjacking in New Jersey. (FoxNews)
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“This administration has taken several steps to combat auto theft in New Jersey over the past few years, which has resulted in a decline in these crimes across our state. As the Governor mentioned in his 2023 State of the State Address From September to December 2022, auto thefts were down 13% over the same four months in 2021. The Governor will continue to work with his partners in the Legislature to continue to reduce these numbers and create safer communities across our condition”.
