The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | April 2024
NJSACOP Offers Law Enforcement View Regarding New Jersey ’ s Criminal Justice Reform Act
Rutherford Police Chief John Russo , the incoming president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police , recently testified on behalf of more than 500 law enforcement executives in our membership related to the impact that New Jersey ’ s Criminal Justice Reform Act has had on the state ’ s overall public safety .
Below is his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee :
“ I do believe Criminal Justice Reform has addressed the core concern from the Committee ’ s March 2014 comprehensive report which described a system where defendants charged with less serious offenses and pose little risk of flight or danger to the community too often remain in jail prior to trial , unable to post modest monetary bail amounts , and other defendants who face more serious charges and have access to funds are able to secure release , even if they are a danger to the community .
This is something I believe law enforcement as a whole will firmly agree was a good foundation and has corrected disparities among our communities .
However , we believe that as a result of the focus to mitigate the role of financial resources in regards to who stays committed to jail and who is released , a strong obligation to public safety was lost along with an observed over-tolerance towards lower quality of life offenses .
For the past several years , we have done all we can to educate our residents to stop leaving vehicles unlocked and stop leaving keys and fobs in their vehicles . I believe we have made progress with that request , however , the market for stolen motor vehicles still remains high and with securely locked vehicles in driveways , the criminal element is resorting to home invasions to accomplish their goals .
Motor vehicle thefts continue to rise at an alarming rate ( 16,642 in 2023 ). 2021 saw a yearly increase of 22 %, 2022 saw an additional increase of 10 % and 2023 saw a 5 % increase .
Home invasions or occupied dwelling burglaries have become more frequent , and these are directly related to MV thefts . As these home invasions become more common place , it is only a matter of time before these events turn violent . Whether at the hands of the criminal or at the hands of the homeowner . Either way , that is not something that can be acceptable as a society .
That ’ s not fair to the victims , it is not fair to law enforcement , our communities and even those committing invasions . Burglary of an occupied dwelling should not be treated the same as a burglary to a shed or vehicle . We have a duty to do all we can to prevent incidents like these and that starts with a collaborative , uniform and proactive approach between all branches of government .
Law enforcement would like to see consideration of increased grading and increased presumptions of detention for motor vehicle theft and burglaries statutes , especially burglaries to occupied structures . We would like to see more consistent sentencing across the State .
We would also like to see the definition of what constitutes a repeat offender enhanced . Taken at face value , these are property crimes ; however , we believe that motor vehicle theft and burglary to dwellings specifically represent something more sinister and problematic for our communities .
In closing , I would like to stress that now is the time to act . When law enforcement executives across the state agree that what we are seeing is not trending favorably and will have dire consequences , odds are , we are going to be proven correct . I will offer continued partnership with the NJSACOP to this committee as well as to my fellow speakers to get this right and to make the needed amendments to Criminal Justice Reform that will ensure public safety and quality of life concerns are enhanced ."
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