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We’ve read the stories. We’ve seen the videos. We’ve been notified on our security cameras of cars being stolen from our driveways. We’ve seen home break ins while our kids are asleep upstairs. We are tired of it.
These once rare events are becoming daily occurrences in our communities. The largest contributing factor is the failed bail reform policies and guidance from state agencies that have crippled law enforcement’s ability to keep our towns safe and severely handcuffed our police from being able to prevent these criminals from engaging in the same brazen acts again.
Our legislative delegation has maintained that providing law enforcement with all the necessary tools to effectively keep our communities safe is of paramount importance to us as legislators. Senator Corrado, Assemblyman DePhillips and I believe if we are going to improve the quality of life for our district, we must give the men and women of law enforcement all the tools necessary to do their jobs.
We have supported efforts by towns in our district to obtain license plate readers to help track stolen vehicles a they move through towns and remove any threat of civil liability on police officers for engaging in conduct determined to be appropriate to do their jobs. We recently introduced legislation to make it tougher on criminals who commit certain crimes.
If you want to help deter car thefts and home burglaries, then criminals need to know they will be held accountable for committing these crimes.
Here are two bills recently introduced that do just that:
A2215/S947: Increases degree of crime for unlawful taking of motor vehicle
- UPGRADES to a third-degree crime the unlawful taking, operation, or exercise of control over a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner.
- This would now be punishable by THREE to FIVE YEARS IN PRISON and a fine of up to $15,000 or BOTH
- UPGRADES to a second degree crime for any person to take, operate, or exercise control over a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner that creates a risk of injury to any person or a risk of damage to property.
- This would be punishable by FIVE to TEN YEARS IN PRISON and a fine of up to $150,000 or BOTH.
A3587/S892: Upgrades burglary of residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense
- UPGRADES penalty for unlawfully entering a person’s home, whether anyone is home or not, to a second degree crime.
- This would be punishable by FIVE to TEN YEARS IN PRISON and a fine up to $150,000 or BOTH
- PROHIBITS parole if someone was home during time of burglary – REQUIRES 85% of sentence of imprisonment to be served BEFORE criminal is eligible for parole.
Actions need to have consequences. As we move further into the legislative session, I will advocate for the passage of these bills and support any legislation that makes our communities safer.
I encourage you to visit the recently updated albarlas.com to find all of my press, social media and updates all on one site.
In the meantime, if you have any ideas or suggestions on legislation you would like to see, or if there is any issue my office can be of assistance to you with, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or (973) 237-1362.
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