TOMS RIVER, NJ – Car theft crimes are on the rise in Toms River, Mayor Maurice Hill acknowledged today. Thieves from New Jersey’s cities are making their way into the community and targeting vehicles to use for joyrides and to commit other crimes with. Toms River is one of the shore towns being targeted along with Jackson Township and unfortunately, at this time, police have simply become report takers nationwide.
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That’s because most car thieves are out of jail often before the car owner gets their car back under New Jersey’s bail reform policies.
Hill did not announce a plan to combat the rise in car thefts but said it’s up to the residents to lock their doors and remove key fobs and personal belongings to limit their exposure and losses.
“Auto theft is on the rise in Ocean County and across New Jersey! Thieves troll the area looking for cars with mirrors turned out which often indicates that the car is unlocked and the key fob may be in the vehicle. Here are some important facts and some tips to avoid being a victim of auto theft,” Hill said today through his public information officer Art Gallagher.
Statewide car theft is up 22% since 2020. The National Car Insurance Bureau calls the increase ‘unprecedented’.
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“Vehicle theft and carjackings are serious offenses that warrant the attention of public officials and policymakers,” said David Glawe, the former Under Secretary and Chief Intelligence Officer at the Department of Homeland Security and a 30-year law enforcement veteran. “The victims of thefts and carjackings are deserving of being vindicated and seeing that justice is served. And offenders should be held accountable for putting victims and their communities in harm’s way.”
Additionally, Glawe stressed the need for state and local authorities to enforce the laws as written.
“In many jurisdictions, the law as written provides adequate penalties,” said Glawe. “However, certain enforcement or reform policies have effectively nullified these laws, thereby providing little disincentive for criminals to commit these serious offenses.”