New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer has taken to Twitter to address the surge in car thefts that has been plaguing his state. In a tweet posted on September 30th, he stated that there needs to be a coordinated strategy among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and continued investment in tools and manpower needed to combat international car theft rings.
Gottheimer’s statement comes after New Jersey has seen a sharp increase in auto thefts this year. According to the State Police Uniform Crime Report, there were over 22,000 motor vehicle thefts reported in New Jersey last year alone. This number is up from just under 17,000 reported cases in 2019.
To combat this surge in crime, Gottheimer believes that it will take more than just individual police departments working on their own. There needs to be coordination between all levels of law enforcement, including local police departments and federal agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security.
“The bad guys don’t recognize municipal borders,” said Gottheimer during an interview with NorthJersey.com. “We need everyone focused on finding these guys.”
In addition to coordination between law enforcement agencies, Gottheimer also calls for continued investment in the tools and manpower needed to combat international car theft rings. These criminal organizations are responsible for stealing vehicles from around the world and then selling them overseas or dismantling them for parts.
One example of an international car theft ring was uncovered earlier this year when authorities arrested several individuals who were part of a stolen vehicle trafficking operation based out of Paterson, NJ. The group had been stealing high-end luxury cars from across the country and then shipping them overseas where they could sell them for a profit.
Gottheimer’s call for increased investment echoes similar sentiments expressed by other lawmakers across the country who have seen an uptick in auto thefts. In California, Assemblymember Jim Cooper introduced legislation earlier this year that would provide $10 million in funding to law enforcement agencies to combat auto theft.
However, not everyone believes that increased investment and coordination is the answer. Some argue that there needs to be a focus on prevention rather than just catching criminals after the fact.
“We need to start looking at ways to make it harder for these guys to steal cars in the first place,” said Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald during an interview with NorthJersey.com. “That means things like better locks, alarms, and other security measures.”
Overall, it is clear that something needs to be done about the surge in car thefts happening across the country. Whether it’s through increased investment, better coordination between law enforcement agencies, or preventative measures such as improved car security features, lawmakers will need to work together to find a solution that works for everyone involved.