Senators Joe Pennacchio and Bob Singer have criticized Trenton Democrats for not advancing a bill intended to prevent violence at the Jersey Shore. This follows incidents of unrest over Memorial Day Weekend.
Senator Pennacchio stated, “What happened at the Shore over Memorial Day weekend was exactly what we warned about a year ago when we introduced legislation to address this kind of lawlessness.” He described the events as “violence, chaos, and a total breakdown of order,” noting that their proposed measures were ignored. Pennacchio emphasized the need for immediate action to protect families, businesses, and law enforcement.
Senator Singer echoed these sentiments: “We’ve been sounding the alarm for over a year, but Trenton Democrats refused to listen. Now, here we are.” He highlighted the economic impact on New Jersey’s tourism industry if such violence continues unchecked. Singer stressed that their bill aimed to provide local governments with necessary tools to maintain order.
The senators are sponsors of S-399, which proposes expanding riot categories and enhancing penalties for related crimes. It also introduces new offenses like mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication. The legislation seeks to ensure municipalities allow law enforcement appropriate response capabilities.
This legislative effort began during the 2020-2021 session with the introduction of S-3992.
