Legislation Would Increase Penalties for Crimes Committed During Disasters
Bill A-3524 was introduced by several Assembly members.
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Several members of the State's General Assembly introduced a bill Monday that would increase the penalties for a number of crimes committed during a State of Emergency.
Bill A-3524 was introduced after legislators said there were a spate of looting, robbery and unlawful trespassing incidents, among other crimes, that took place during Gov. Chris Christie's declaration of a state of emergency following Hurricane Sandy.
Bill A-3524 would see crimes such as robbery committed during a state of emergency upgraded from a second degree crime to first degree. Burglary would become a second degree crime and shoplifting, regardless of the value of the property stolen, would be upgraded to a second degree crime, among other heightened punitive measures.
The bill was introduced by Assembly Republicans Dave Russo, R-40, Scott Rumana, R-40, and Monmouth County Assembly members Mary Pat Angelini, R-11, and Declan O'Scanlon, R-13.
"This most recent series of disasters really opened our eyes to the tragedies that can occur during times of hardship,” O’Scanlon said in a release. “With nature wreaking havoc and ruining people’s lives it is incomprehensible to think that there are those who would take advantage of the folks who are suffering most. This bill is a message to all would-be thieves and burglars – a state of emergency does not mean the fruit is ripe for picking."
According to the release, a first degree crime is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000; a second degree crime is punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine; a third degree crime carries a penalty of 3 to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and a fourth degree crime is punishable by 18 months in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Maynard Ferguson
5:38 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I think they should have just shot the looters and made fish food out of them. Word of that would have spread very quickly and the looting would have all but stopped within a day!
Booradley
6:12 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Treat looters like the treat pirates in the Indian Ocean. Shoot to kill -- no questions asked.
fed up
6:18 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I agree Maynard, looters should be shot on sight period.
Sal Sorce
6:19 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Just received a letter from the NJ Pinelands Commission regarding
the use of a motor vehicle storage site on a large parcel in Barnegat
Township ... the parcel is located in Barnaget's PI zoning district
a Pinelands Forest Area ... such a motor vehicle storage yard is not
permitted land use.
There was no prior approvals for the proposed use as a debris
management Solid and Hazardous Waste ...
call for an immediate removal in including a date by which removal
must be completed ...
another OC-GOP move to with the arrogance of the county
and or township officials ???
Letter has been sent to Mayor Cirulli, Township Engineer John Hess
Secretary Township Planning Board among other officials.
Sal Sorce
6:22 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
... witnesses have said there are thousands
of vehicles from several locations thoughout the area
including LBI, Stafford Township ...
site is an old sand pit along Rt. 72 ...
Laci
6:33 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Hope grand theft auto on private property and price gouging towing charges sends the owner & employees of APK Towing,located at Rt 37 and Coolidge Ave in Toms River a clear message with jail time and fines. Looking forward to see the outcome...
Ko
6:39 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Lets put them on Sal's street and front yard. Geez, give the people and the town a break. Some people always want to complain but never offer a solution to help or asked if they can even physically help.
Sal Sorce
9:49 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Face facts the Ocean County Republicans have
enjoyed rule in many townships for many years ...
granted with Obamination there is not much of a
chance to rid ourselves of the power to do what
ever they wish ...
FOLLOW THE RULES ... OR ARE THEY FOR
THE CITIZENS ONLY???
HOW THE HELL DID THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY
THAT HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT A PERMIT OR SPECIAL
PERMISSION FOR A PERSONAL ENTERPRISE ...
THE FINES FOR SUCH USE ARE HEAVY ... LET'S SEE
IF THEY APPLY ... WONDER WHO WILL COME FORWARD
AND ADMIT THE DEBACLE ... OR IS THIS GOING TO
COST THE TAXPAYERS OF BARNEGAT ...
The Governor
7:11 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
What is this, MARTIAL LAW? NO WAY! What will it be next? We already had the crazy curfews, this is AMERICA!
Show me the money
7:31 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
You say that until your home gets looted.
Concerned Citizen of NJ
8:25 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
They need to look into out of state companies doing water and Remediation for Mold that are charging only 1/3 the cost of local estiblished licensed Companys. Wait a year when they start growing mold in the crawl spaces and they have no recourse because the company was from out of state and not licensed so they have been duked...wake up NJ and stop the fraud...No Certification means thief..
Dainty
10:30 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I "thought" all contractors coming from out of state had to be licensed and insured in their own state, and registered, to even get on the Island? Please lets protect our folks from the buzzards looking for fast cash and inferior jobs!
Mattie
8:42 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
why is MY comment getting deleted?
Praising the police departments for doing an awesome job (keeping looters out of storm ravaged areas) and telling people not to believe what "legislators" claim about looting because they are playing on Fears....not facts, that gets DELETED??
But people screaming about martial law and utility companies scamming them and keeping them out of their homes/neighborhoods for sinister reasons... those comments stay. Nice.
Xavier
7:26 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Welcome to the Internet, and Patch's poor comment system.
Dainty
10:32 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I think signs need to go up, stating, DO NOT garbage pick on the Island! My husband saw folks taking bikes out of piles and I've heard several folks say they've seen it as well. Not right to go through other folks devastated lives like that.
shorefriend
8:23 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
If the trash is in the street, it's basically up for grabs, even the cops will tell you that really is not looting, it's almost the same as the day after the town wide yard sale! However I did hear that FEMA maybe recouping some of their costs by scraping metal and other salvageable materials. I personally think if someone can re-purpose something rather than add it to the land fill than more power to you! The amount of debris is overwhelming
Mattie
8:56 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I have to agree with shorefriend- once it's on the street for pick-up by township trash trucks, it's pretty much fair game. Besides, if most neighborhoods are still restricting access to their own home owners/residents, how do you know those picking through trash on the curb aren't rethinking their own decisions about trashing stuff, or that they don't have permission from homeowners to recycle things? "Looting" doesn't happen at the curb or from trash piles... looting happens inside homes and businesses. Let's not get overly dramatic about it.
Common Sense in Silverton
9:13 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
While cleaning out my house over the past few weekends, I've seen some strange things. I brought my desktop computer out to the curb, and it was gone the next morning. Not sure who took it or why, you could clearly see the entire thing was submerged in salt water. I had a guy come rummaging through the piles at the curb while I was still bringing stuff out to it; he started clipping the power cords off of various things!
What really takes the cake is the bird cages. Birds poop (a lot), and there were still several piles of dried feces in the bottoms of their cages that I hadn't cleaned up in a while. YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE MOLD GROWING ON THE PILES. But sure enough, I was walking down the street a block or so from my house when a pickup drives by with a familiar white cage.
v0v
john
7:49 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
there s already a electronic message sign when on LBI, no un authorized trash or metal pickup ....
Natty Bumppo
8:52 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
They should also make it a crime with higher fines and jail time when our local elected officials dissappear for no explained reason during a time of tragedy when citizens are in need and looking for real leadership. Mayor Amato ran away and needs to be held accountable and explain his actions as an elected official.
Frank Matusik
9:44 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Ran Away????? I don't know how anyone can say that. As one of the unlucky ones that lost my home I have been out and about in the community and have seen Mayor Amato before the storm and several times after the storm especially in the hardest hit areas so to say that he "disappeared" is simply not true. I would suggest the next time there is a community meeting you should attend.
Katherine Ranuro
9:35 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I'm all for this upgrading of punishment for crimes committed during a declared State of Emergency. It was harrowing to hear someone trying to get In my bedroom window while sleeping and to later be told by our Police Chief that three men were attempting to break in. Thankfully, they were chased away by canine dogs.
bayboat
10:06 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
...as opposed to FELINE dogs?.. :)
Eggs-n-Toast
11:22 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I think she may have meant K-9 Dogs. (Police trained dogs).
WMS826
5:19 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
This is pointless feel good legislation. These crimes will be plea bargained at time of trial anyway. We have laws in effect already, just enforce them, allow NDEA bargain since it occurred at a special time like a disaster and move on. Make the people wh commit crimes in a disaster pay full price in fines and max jail time with m early release.