Garden State Times

Senator Michael Testa (R-1) expressed his satisfaction after the New Jersey Senate approved S-587, a bill that aims to provide law enforcement agencies with more flexibility in utilizing seized funds. Testa highlighted the significance of this legislation, stating, “This legislation will give New Jersey law enforcement agencies more flexibility with funds that are seized during an investigation—which is a crucial piece missing from existing civil asset forfeiture law. Under this bill, law enforcement can now use these funds to support important initiatives, such as community outreach programs, which can help grow and reinforce relationships between police and local neighborhoods."

The current law dictates that proceeds from the forfeiture of private property must be used exclusively by the law enforcement agency involved in the investigation leading to the forfeiture and solely for law enforcement purposes. However, S-587 introduces a shift in this practice, enabling law enforcement agencies to allocate proceeds from civil asset forfeiture for various additional purposes, including promoting community outreach, providing diversity training for law enforcement officers, and establishing and implementing minority selection and recruitment programs.

The bill aims to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and the community by allowing for the utilization of forfeiture funds in initiatives that foster positive interactions and understanding between police forces and local neighborhoods. This step is seen as a proactive approach towards strengthening bonds and trust within the community.

For those interested in reviewing the full details of the bill, it is available for viewing. For any further inquiries or background information from Senator Testa, individuals are encouraged to reach out to Jonathan Azzara in the SRO communications department.