Flynn & Scharfenberger Want Answers to Rising Crime

Middletown, N.J. – With evidence mounting showing a direct correlation between New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s policies of early release and easy treatment of convicted criminals and the sharp rise in of criminal activity across Monmouth County – Assemblymembers Victoria Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger (LD13-R’s) have requested answers from the N.J. Attorney General’s Office as to what his office intends to do to stem the rising tide of crime:

“Over the past few months, there has been a steady increase of car thefts and home burglaries throughout Monmouth County. Constituents reach out to us on a daily basis asking for help. They know there have been changes to law enforcement protocols that prevent law enforcement from addressing these issues and they want their legislators to take action,” Assemblywoman Flynn stated. “It’s clear that the Governor’s administration has implemented policies that handcuff law enforcement while showing preferential treatment to convicted criminals – the public is fed up with jeopardizing the safety of our communities to implement liberal, failed policies.” 

“The recent surge in crime, in particular auto thefts is being fueled and exacerbated by two main factors, the Attorney General’s overly restrictive rules on police response to crime, and bail reform which allows prisoners out onto the street almost immediately. Bail reform is allowing dangerous criminals back out onto the street, as one police chief put it, before the ink is dry on the police report,” said Assemblyman Scharfenberger. “This cannot be allowed to continue, failing to act is putting our residents’ lives at stake.”

In the request sent to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin last week, the legislators have called into question the December directives passed down from the office to police departments that purposefully prevent law enforcement from protecting and serving their communities. The legislators want these disastrous policies changed as well as an immediate plan to deal with the growing crime epidemic impacting their towns as a result of Trenton’s actions:

“Under the Attorney General‘s guidelines, police are not allowed to pursue an individual in a stolen car even if they are just pulling away from the scene. As a result, criminals confidently smile at the police and go on their merry way with their stolen property. This needs to stop now, we want answers before this situation gets worse,” Scharfenberger continued.

“We do not have to look far to see the dangerous impact similar policies have had; case in point, the crime waves encompassing New York City illustrates exactly what will happen across New Jersey in the near future if we don’t act. This criminal utopia created by the administration needs to come to an end before it is too late,” concluded Flynn.

Assemblywoman Flynn and Assemblyman Scharfenberger plan on having open forum discussions with community leaders and police departments as well as advocate for policing policy changes until new policies are enacted.