The Mayor of Point Pleasant Beach, Paul Kanitra (R), is making news after declaring New Jersey “broken” in a strongly-worded Facebook statement posted Monday.
“We’re lucky to have incredible police protecting us here in Point Pleasant Beach. They don’t have the luxury of being able to say the following… so I will. This state is broken,” wrote Kanitra. “Why else do you think we’ve gotten to the point where gangs from North Jersey continually come to Monmouth and Ocean to steal cars in broad daylight? Take your pick of reasons. Is it our pandering laws meant to buy votes instead of protecting us? Is it bail reform which puts criminals back on the street to commit crime time and time again? How about the lack of accountability for juveniles? A lot of the car thieves are under 18 because the gangs are smart enough to know they face little (to) no penalty. What about the attacks on police in general, painting them as the bad guys and undermining their authority? Is it simply a lack of funding to go after gangs and the lack of a spine to crack down appropriately?”
Mayor Kanitra’s post followed a reported attempted automobile theft at a Route 35 Dunkin’ location.
“What is indisputable is that one of the above or all of the above is contributing to it and weak-kneed politicians should be held accountable,” added Kanitra. “Think about this the next time you’re in a voting booth or when you pay your insanely high car insurance premiums.”
Concerns over crime – specifically auto thefts – continue to rise across the state and at the Jersey Shore. One day after Kanitra’s post, the Mayor of Middletown further up the coast announced plans to sue the state over bail reform since he views increased patrol costs to combat car-related crimes as the results of an unfunded mandate.
