New Protections For Car Owners Are Now The Law In Holmdel

HOLMDEL, NJ — An ordinance establishing Motor Vehicle Protection Regulations, introduced by the Township Committee last month, was unanimously adopted Tuesday night.

The ordinance now makes it illegal in Holmdel to "enter or remain on any driveway, paved surface, or location within 20 feet of a stationary motor vehicle, knowing that he or she is not licensed or privileged to enter or remain in said location," the ordinance reads.

It also would make illegal committing any of the following acts:

• Peering into a window of a motor vehicle that the person does not own or have license or privilege to possess.
• Pulling a door handle or taking an action in an attempt to open or unlock a motor vehicle that the person does not own or have license or privilege to possess
• Possessing an electronic device that is capable of determining if an electronic key is located inside a motor vehicle.

These violations will be punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and imprisonment of 90 days – the most severe penalties the township can exact, the township said.

The action came last month after Holmdel, and many other municipalities and the state, have experienced escalating car thefts or attempted car thefts.

The ordinance establishes "aggressive new regulations to aid in our fight against car thefts in Holmdel," said Deputy Mayor DJ Luccarelli and Committeeman Rocco Impreveduto last month when they introduced the measure.

On Tuesday, Impreveduto said the new law sends a message that "it is not open season in Holmdel anymore" to attempt car thefts.

One resident spoke at the meeting and expressed concern that the language of the ordinance - the "paved surface" reference - might be too broad.

He said people who like cars often take an innocent peek at the interior of a "hot new car" as they walk on a public street.

But Township Attorney Michael Collins assured him that, from a practical standpoint, police will not enforce the law in an overbroad way. And he noted that anyone walking on a public street has a right as a member of the public to be walking on that street.

The idea of establishing stronger local laws to deal with the car theft problem was addressed in a similar way in Marlboro.

Marlboro Township recently adopted a local ordinance that would similarly impose local fines and potential jail time for those trespassing to even touch cars that are not their property.

And at the state level, Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this month proposed stronger penalties for car theft.

New Jersey officials reported 14,320 car thefts in 2021 — a 22 percent increase over the prior year. So far this year, 13,849 vehicle thefts have been reported, according to State Police.
The state has made progress on preventing car thefts, according to Murphy. Auto thefts in September fell 12 percent from September 2021 and decreased 12 percent in October, compared to that time last year.