Mayor Spango Attends Legislation Signing to Combat Auto Thefts in New Jersey
Mayor Spango was invited to attend a bill signing ceremony in Long Branch Friday morning where Governor Murphy signed several pieces of legislation aimed to help combat the rise of auto thefts in the state of New Jersey.
"I applaud Governor Murphy for signing the bills sponsored by Senators Codey, Bucco, Sarlo, Lagana and Gopal. Stiffening the consequences for actors who commit these crimes is paramount to giving municipalities and law enforcement the upper hand in combating auto theft. It is refreshing to witness our state legislators collaborate for the betterment of our residents regardless of party affiliation,” said Roseland Mayor James Spango.
“The statewide auto theft issue affects all municipalities and NJ residents and puts the safety of the public and police at risk everyday. Harsher penalties for those committing these crimes will improve the quality of life for all of us."
The bills that the Governor signed into law are:
- S2284/S3389 – This legislation, sponsored by Senators Sarlo, Lagana and Gopal, would establish separate statutory provisions for the existing crimes of theft of a motor vehicle and knowingly receiving stolen property that is a motor vehicle, and provide for extended sentences for certain persistent offenders. Based on State Police testimony a separate statutory provision for motor vehicle thefts and the ability for prosecutors to pursue extended terms of imprisonment for repeat offenders would greatly assist prosecutors and law enforcement in responding to the increase in auto thefts across the State.
- S-3006/S3345 – This legislation, sponsored by Senator Codey and Senator Bucco, would expand the crime of leader of auto theft trafficking network and establish a new third-degree crime of participant in auto theft trafficking network. Specifically, the bill would expand the definition of “leader” to include recruiters, and any person who conspires to unlawfully take automobile parts. The bill establishes the new third-degree crime of participant in an auto theft trafficking network, which is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 and three to five years imprisonment.
- S-3390 – This bill, sponsored by Senator Gopal, would expand criminal penalties related to the illegal use of a motor vehicle “master key.” This bill amends current law to make it a fourth-degree crime for a person to knowingly possess for an unlawful purpose a key fob that operates a vehicle owned by another person or possess a computer program commonly used to start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob.
- S-3777 – Legislation sponsored by Senator Lagana, would eliminate the presumption of pretrial release for defendants charged with certain motor vehicle theft offenses if the defendant was arrested or convicted of a prior motor vehicle theft offense within the 90-day-period preceding the charge.
The Borough is encouraged that the Governor, Legislature, and the Attorney General have listened to our plea to address the auto theft issue that is plaguing our communities.