Harsher Penalties For Auto Theft Supported By Chatham Township

CHATHAM, NJ — A resolution supporting state legislation that increases penalties for car thefts and for leaders of car theft trafficking networks was approved by the Chatham Township Committee at its regular meeting this week.

Residents have urged Chatham officials to address the growing problem, as well as to put pressure on Trenton lawmakers to enact harsher penalties. In response, the committee voted 3-1 in favor of Senate Bill No. 3006 at its meeting on Tuesday.

The passed resolution stated support for the piece of legislature that Senators Richard Codey (D-27) and Anthony Bucco (D-25) introduced earlier this year.

Not everyone in the public agrees with the committee's decision; however, before the vote, Ron Rubino, a candidate for a seat on the Chatham Township Committee, asked the committee during public comment to add stronger language to the resolution.

"It's wonderful that you are taking the next step in the process by letting Trenton know that we need help legislatively, but Senate Bill No. 3006 is not strong enough. 60 days of community service for first-time offenders is not an effective deterrent, " Rubino said.

Under the proposed legislation, any juvenile convicted of car theft will receive 60 days of community service for the first offense and 60 days of detention for the second offense.

"The criminal actors know that there are no real consequences for their actions, so activity continues," Rubino said.

Committee member Mark Lois, who voted against the resolution, agreed with Rubino and asked for the resolution to be tabled. "It's not enough and we all know that. I think to pass a resolution supporting something that we know is insufficient sends the wrong message to the public," Lois said.

In response, Chatham Township Mayor Ashley Felice agreed that she wanted stronger legislation than what was proposed but ultimately argued that the committee would need to be flexible if they wanted to make any progress.

"This car theft legislation is not strong enough and we're signaling to the public that we're doing something that in effect we know doesn't really do very much at all… Throwing a spear at the problem and not throwing it as hard as we can is a mistake," Lois said.

"I don't know how you will know that it's not going to be successful in advance when it hasn't even been attempted, but I think the punchline is that this is important. This has to get done and we have to move the needle in some way, shape or form," Committee members Stacey Ewald said.