Car Theft Prevention Subject Of New Mendham Township Resolution

MENDHAM, NJ — A resolution in support of the proposed legislation, the bipartisan Auto Theft Prevention Act, introduced by Representatives Mikie Sherrill and Don Bacon, has been introduced by the Township Committee.

Under the proposed legislation, a grant program would provide a dedicated source of funding for both state and local law enforcement agencies to combat auto thefts through the US Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services.

The bipartisan bill establishes a new competitive grant program within the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to support state and local law enforcement efforts to combat auto theft.

The Mendham Township Police Department will be able to use grants to purchase license plate readers, hire more law enforcement officers and support staff, fund overtime costs and fund anti-auto theft data collection and research activities.

According to the Mendham Township Committee, the bill would provide $150 million over five years to police departments across the country to assist them in combating auto theft.

During the resolution's committee discussion, committee member Thomas Baio spoke out against it, claiming that it did not appear to benefit Mendham Township. "It's not written to benefit Mendham Township, it's a show of support for a proclamation that really benefits other communities."

Jordan Orlins, a committee member, echoed Baio's claim, stating that because Mendham Township has not been affected by the current increase in car thefts across the state, there is no need to seek federal funding.

"Let the state deal with the states problems," Orlins said.

Committee member Amalia Duarte, on the other hand, expressed her support for the resolution, as well as stating that, while there have been no vehicle thefts in Mendham Township, the Chief of Police has stated that they have pursued six "stolen vehicle crews" in town.

"I doubt we are going to see any funds come out of this, however, most of the people who are stealing cars from Mendham Township are not from Mendham Township, they are from other communities. Therefore, what we need to do is make sure that those agencies are getting the resources they need to clamp down on this," Mayor Nick Monaghan said.

In 2021, 14,320 cars were reported stolen in New Jersey, according to State Police data. This represents a 22% increase in car thefts since 2020, with 9,000 cars stolen by August 2022.

This figure is expected to increase to 17,000 by the end of the year, officials said.

"It is certainly on the rise, and this is a small thing we can do to support our law enforcement and Police Chief Ross Johnson, I think it's a good measure to take," Duarte said.