Combating Burglaries: New Legislation Aims to Boost Penalties

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, while burglary and associated car theft rates decreased last year, New Jersey continues to seek tools to combat these issues. Recent alarming incidents, like the one in Boonton Township where surveillance cameras caught three men ransacking a home, highlight the ongoing need for stringent measures.

Burglary Bill Increases Penalties

A new bill, approved by a 36-1 vote on Friday, aims to establish residential burglary as a second-degree crime, carrying a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Currently, such offenses are classified as third-degree crimes, punishable by three to five years of incarceration.

Under existing laws, a residential burglary can be upgraded to second-degree if the offender attempts or succeeds in causing bodily harm to a victim. The new bill, S3006, introduced by Republican Minority Leader Senator Anthony Bucco, must still pass the state Assembly and secure the governor’s signature to become law.

The proposed legislation also creates a new first-degree offense, “home invasion burglary,” applicable when a residential burglary is committed with a deadly weapon or when the perpetrator inflicts, attempts to inflict, or threatens bodily injury during the burglary. First-degree crimes can carry a sentence of up to 20 years.

Bucco cosponsored the measure with Democratic Senators Vin Gopal and Brian Stack. The lone vote against the bill came from Democrat Britnee Timberlake, who represents District 34 in Essex County and was unavailable for comment.

Surge in Auto Thefts and Break-Ins

Bucco, representing the 26th District, has collaborated with Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll and Sheriff James Gannon to address the crime wave that began with a surge in auto theft in 2022. This increase, driven by criminal gangs targeting unlocked cars, led to a rise in home burglaries as thieves searched for keys and car fobs inside residences.

According to State Police data, thieves stole 15,644 vehicles in 2022, over 1,000 more than the previous year and nearly 4,000 more than in 2020. Home burglaries also increased as suspects sought to enter unlocked homes for valuables.

Thanks to new deterrents, including legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy last year, rates of auto theft and burglary dropped in 2023.

The Impact of Home Burglaries

“The impact of a home burglary on the crime victim is traumatic and has lasting effects; it is a violation of a person’s very security,” said Sheriff Gannon. “After such an intrusion, a person’s home no longer feels like a safe haven. Most importantly, such encounters can be deadly.”

Prosecutor Carroll noted, “In Morris County, we have successfully reduced car thefts using automated license plate readers and close cooperation with municipal, state, and federal partners. But we need more.”

ACLU’s Criticism

The ACLU of New Jersey has criticized the bill, particularly the higher penalties included in its final passage. ACLU-NJ Policy Counsel Joe Johnson said the organization supports establishing new crime statutes but opposes the increased penalties.

“We haven’t seen any data justifying this policy,” Johnson told the Daily Record. “Based on publicly available data since 2020, there is no sign of a massive increase in burglaries requiring increased penalties.”

Next Steps

The legislation has been referred to the state Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee. Johnson said the ACLU would engage Assembly members in discussions about the bill as it moves forward.

 

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