Five years ago, New Jersey enacted a law that essentially did away with cash bail, only keeping those accused of a crime in jail if they were deemed a threat. But, after a recent increase in gun violence, some mayors and lawmakers are reconsidering that law.
“We have to do something about people who have guns in the street that are committing violent crimes and finding their way back to the street weeks later,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Baraka and other elected leaders gathered in Paterson on Tuesday to call for reform that would keep people arrested on gun charges behind bars while they await their court dates.
