Some viral videos showing chaos down the Shore have re-ignited debates on policing and bail reform in New Jersey.
While most of the state enjoyed a peaceful Memorial Day, a few videos emerged from the weekend showing large groups of people congregating in Shore towns, vastly outnumbering local police. Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged “three very serious incidents” but said the weekend was overall a success – a “huge Memorial Day,” in his words.
But not everyone shares the governor’s optimism. The Senate Judiciary Committee hosted a hearing Thursday on juvenile crime and justice in New Jersey and the best strategies to address minors who commit crimes ranging from underage possession of alcohol to home invasion.
“If there is no deterrent, there is no consequence,” said state Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris), who criticized New Jersey’s bail reform as a contributing factor. “There will be no change in behavior.”
Jennifer Sellitti, New Jersey’s state public defender, pushed back. During the hearing, she testified that minors don’t consider criminal penalties before committing crimes, and that increasing sentences would not deter crime.
“Kids are just more vulnerable to pressure and to impulses than adults are,” she said. “When we talk about things like enhancing penalties or letting kids know that they’ll be waived or letting kids know this or that, we act as those kids are thinking about any of that when they go out of the house, when they leave. And they aren’t.”
