TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Senator Calls for Reevaluation of Bail Reform Citing Public Safety Concerns TRENTON, NJ — Senator Kristin M. Corrado is urging lawmakers to return to Trenton to address what she identifies as critical flaws in New Jersey’s bail reform system. The call comes amid concerns that the current laws are endangering law enforcement officers and the general public.
Corrado’s stance is bolstered by local police chiefs who argue that bail reform has compromised the criminal justice system.
The reform, which went into effect in 2017, intended to lower incarceration rates for non-violent offenders but has resulted in the quick release of violent and repeat offenders back into communities, according to critics.
“We hear from members of Law Enforcement and angered citizens nearly every day that bail reform simply isn’t working. New Jerseyans feel that their quality of life is on the decline because of rising crime and car thefts. These problems need to be addressed by the Legislature immediately to protect the lives of all New Jerseyans and to retain the hardworking police officers who put their lives on the line every day,” said Corrado (R-40). “Criminals are often let off the hook with nothing more than a slap on the wrist because of bail reform. Legislative polices have, in many cases, handcuffed our amazing men and women in Law Enforcement and prevented Judges from doing their job. The Senate should return to Trenton to make bail reform a top legislative priority to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.”
Fairfield Police Chief Anthony G. Manna emphasized that morale among law enforcement officers is affected negatively due to a system that seems to have no consequences for criminals.
Similar concerns were echoed by Police Chiefs John J. Kennedy of Cedar Grove and Jack McNiff of Wayne, who cited examples of repeat offenders avoiding jail time despite multiple arrests.
“We can’t expect officer morale to remain high when individuals are released from custody before their arrest reports are completed. Something must be done. We cannot continue down this path. The intent of bail reform was to lower incarceration rates while still ensuring public safety,” said John J. Kennedy, Chief of the Cedar Grove Police Department. “Our criminal justice system appears to be failing the very people it was meant to serve. The rapid release of violent offenders undermines the fundamental principles of how our criminal justice system should function.”
According to New Jersey’s Criminal Justice Data Dashboard, there has been an increase in the number of victims in most categories of crimes, including domestic violence, assault, and property crimes like auto theft. Police Chief David V. Murphy of Wyckoff noted that the current system has diverted resources from core patrol functions, leading to an increase in violent crimes.
Corrado asserts that immediate legislative action is required to prevent dangerous criminals from re-entering communities and posing a further threat to public safety.