New Burglary Bill Celebrated By Lacey Officials

LACEY, NJ — Lacey officials are applauding the signing of new bipartisan legislation that upgrades penalties for residential home burglaries.

S-3600 was recently signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy alongside the bill's prime sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25).

"It's sending a strong message to individuals who burglarize homes and engage in other associated criminal activities that they will do time and face severe consequences," Deputy Mayor Peter Curatolo said at a recent Township Committee meeting.

Sen. Carmen Amato also lauded the signing, saying it will help protect senior citizens in the 9th Legislative District.

"As a sponsor of this legislation, I'm glad to see that the Governor worked with Republicans to prioritize the safety of our most vulnerable residents," Amato said. "We represent a significant senior population in South Jersey that will benefit greatly from this law deterring criminals from breaking into and burglarizing our homes."

Curatolo said that while there aren't too many of these burglary cases in Lacey, "we can't be too careful."

"It's just too much," he said. "It's too many B and E's. It's too much nonsense."

"With the Governor's signature, New Jersey is sending a strong and clear message that individuals who burglarize homes or engage in other associated criminal activities will face severe consequences," Bucco said in a release. "Now, law enforcement and prosecutors will have the necessary tools to combat the troubling wave of residential home burglaries spreading across the Garden State and ensure safety within our communities. After today, there should be no mistake that if you commit these crimes, you will do time."