Citing Car Thefts, Howell Throws Support To Bail Reform Complaint

HOWELL, NJ — The Township Council has added its voice to those saying state bail reform laws have led to more crime - particularly car thefts - and have cost municipalities more money to deal with the problem.

The council recently voted to support Middletown Township's complaint to the State Council on Local Mandates, citing the increased rate of car thefts that have coincided with the 2017 state bail reform rules.

"It has become apparent that the increase in motor vehicle thefts and associated crimes coincides with the enactment of the New Jersey Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act in 2017," the resolution says.

Deputy Mayor Evelyn O'Donnell and Councilmen Ian Nadel and Fred Gasior, the only councilmembers present at the Feb. 7 meeting, all voted in favor of the resolution.

The resolution cited statistics that motor vehicle thefts and associated crimes in Monmouth County have increased by roughly 40 percent in that period.

"The increase in motor vehicle thefts and associated crimes has resulted in municipalities increasing the resources needed to police, patrol, and investigate these crimes in order to keep citizens and their property safe," the resolution said, so it supports relief from the New Jersey Council on Local Mandates is to eliminate what it says has become "an unfunded mandate."

The Township Committee in Middletown in January passed a resolution authorizing its township attorney to file a complaint with the New Jersey Council on Local Mandates.

The complaint is an attempt to have the state of New Jersey reimburse Middletown for extra costs the town has incurred battling car thefts. Middletown Mayor Tony Perry said at the time he estimates Middletown has spent an additional $325,000 fighting car thefts and home burglaries.

Meanwhile, the Holmdel Township Committee will also consider a vote on bail reform - this one in support of state legislation revising certain bail reform provisions. The vote will take place at its meeting on Tuesday night, Feb. 14.

The Holmdel resolution would "strongly support the immediate adoption of legislation to address the sudden increase of car thefts in our communities which will revise catch and release policies for car thefts," the resolution states.

The Howell resolution in support of Middletown was passed separately from the consent agenda and Councilman Ian Nadel, who took office this January and is a former New York City police officer, took the opportunity to read a statement on the issue, which can be heard in full on the video recording of the meeting.

"Howell hasn't been impacted as much as these other towns," he said, referring to auto thefts and attempted auto thefts. But he said it still has seen increases in such crimes.

He said that in 2018 there was a 33-percent increase; in 2019 a 100-percent increase; in 2020 a 50-percent increase; in 2021 a 266-percent increase; and in 2022 a 150-percent increase.

For others crimes, 2022 saw the highest increase in the last seven years, Nadel said.

"Tonight is just the start of our efforts to push back and stand up for Howell," Nadel, a Republican, said, referring to Democratic Gov. Murphy and the state's Legislature.

He said police officers and residents are facing more threats to their safety, as a result of the crime increases.

"The sad fact of it is that until criminals fear imprisonment, crime is going to continue to move in the wrong direction," he added.