AG Creates Statewide Burglary Task Force, Highlights New Laws to Combat Home Burglaries

Law enforcement leaders convene in Newark to strategize implementation of stricter penalties for home invasions and burglaries.

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY - Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin unveiled a new Statewide Burglary Task Force during a meeting in Newark with law enforcement officials from across New Jersey. The initiative aims to address a surge in residential burglaries, many tied to auto thefts, by leveraging recently enacted laws that heighten penalties for these crimes.

The task force, comprising law enforcement officers and prosecutors at all levels, will focus on deterring, investigating, and prosecuting residential burglaries and home invasions. During the meeting, officials discussed strategies for using the bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy on October 18, 2024. This law establishes new classifications for burglary offenses, mandating harsher sentences for offenders.

“Burglaries and home invasions pose a significant public safety threat and often lead not only to physical harm and the theft of possessions, but also the theft of one’s sense of security, well-being, and peace, something that everyone is entitled to in their own home,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Through close cooperation and coordination with our law enforcement leaders, and through our new Statewide Burglary Task Force, we will be able to help alleviate the concerns of our residents.”

Key Provisions of the New Laws

• Home Invasion: Defined as unlawful entry into a residence to commit a crime while armed or threatening bodily harm. It is classified as a first-degree crime.
• Residential Burglary: Defined as illegal entry into a home to commit a crime without the aggravating factors of home invasion. It is classified as a second-degree crime.
• Sentencing Requirements: Both offenses fall under the "No Early Release Act," requiring offenders to serve at least 85% of their prison terms before being eligible for parole.

Statewide Task Force and Collaboration

The newly formed task force will enhance intelligence-sharing among agencies to track and target suspects operating across jurisdictions. This initiative will include trend analysis and coordinated policies to suppress home burglaries.

During the Newark meeting, law enforcement leaders, including Peter Andreyev, President of the New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association, and John Russo, President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, joined the Attorney General to plan the implementation of the new laws. Discussions emphasized the need for better communication and collaboration among agencies to identify patterns and hold offenders accountable.

The effort aims to address a growing trend in which burglars enter homes to steal car keys, often frightening residents in the process. By combining legislative tools with statewide coordination, the initiative seeks to bolster public safety and deter future crimes.