Basking Ridge Beefs Up Resident Protection Laws To Combat Home, Car Burglaries

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — In an effort to combat the "disturbing surge in motor vehicle thefts, burglaries, and home invasions," the Bernards Township Committee added a new section to an ordinance that will beef up "Resident Protection."

"We are a safe community but nonetheless we are not going to relent until we continue to minimize the incidents that are happening. The police want residents to feel confident that we are doing everything possible to protect you," said Mayor Jennifer Asay at the Tuesday night meeting.

The second and final reading of the ordinance was unanimously passed by the Committee on March 12.

The new section entitled Resident Protection includes language that would make it illegal and a violation of the ordinance to:

• pull on a motor vehicle or home door handles
• possess electronic devices to determine if an electric key is inside a motor vehicle
• enter any house, apartment, garage or structure that the person done not own

Violations of the ordinance could include a fine of not more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, or by a period of community service not to exceed 90 days at the discretion of the judge.

The ordinance was also discussed at the Feb. 27 Committee meeting before being passed on first reading.

"This is a step in the right direction on a local basis," said Township Attorney John Belardo at the Feb. 27 meeting. "It addresses some of the problems we have been having in Bernards Township both with car theft and with resident break-ins. This is a carefully crafted ordinance. I have also worked hand in hand with our municipal prosecutor Stephen Davis to withstand any legal challenges that may arise."

"This is another proactive move that the township is making," said Committeewoman Janice Fields. "We have heard you, we are listening and we are making a difference and that difference is we are being proactive."

Click here to view the full ordinance.

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