Congressman Kean Hosts Crime Roundtable With Basking Ridge Mayor

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) hosted a crime webinar roundtable with more than 50 local elected officials and law enforcement leaders, including in Basking Ridge, last week.

This roundtable is in response to the sudden and substantial uptick in home break-ins and car theft across New Jersey.

"Too many Garden State families now grapple with the distressing reality that their sense of security within their own hometown – even in their own driveway - is under threat," said Kean. "It is imperative that we address these challenges head-on, fortifying our commitment to the safety and well-being in our communities. Together with mayors and law enforcement across the Seventh Congressional District, I am committed to prioritize the safety and security of our local families, neighborhoods, small businesses, and our law enforcement personnel."

Elected officials and law enforcement personnel from across the 7th Congressional District shared their experiences including Bernards Mayor Jen Asay:

"Bernards Township has been noted for many years as being of the safest towns in NJ by independent organizations, but our residents are concerned by the uptick of home burglaries associated with car thefts that began in the summer of 2023," said Asay. "I was grateful to hear from Congressman Kean as well as my fellow panelists who shared similar concerns and will look to partner with them to develop solutions to protect our residents."

In 2023, Congressman Kean hosted his first crime roundtable, during which he addressed the surge in catalytic converter theft, combating organized retail crime, and the challenges that law enforcement encounters in combatting the escalating crime in New Jersey communities.
Recently, Congressman Kean met with local leaders and law enforcement agencies to address the rise in home break ins and auto theft. Congressman Kean has sponsored the Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act and the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act.

"At last year’s Crime Roundtable, local departments emphasized the need for increased funding to modernize law enforcement facilities, highlighting the opportunity to redirect resources to more pressing areas of concerns, such as equipment, training, and retention," said Kean. "To address these concerns, I cosponsored H.R. 6198, The Building Up Infrastructure for Local Departments (BUILD) Act. This bill will prioritize grants for small and rural public agencies, focusing on upgrading local law enforcement and fire department facilities serving fewer than 50,000 residents. I am continuing to prioritize engaging with local leaders and law enforcement agencies to strategize and implement effective measures aimed at addressing the community’s growing concerns regarding local crime."