TRENTON, N.J. — After assaults on transit employees more than tripled in each of the last two years, New Jersey has enacted a law that increases penalties for such attacks.
New Jersey 101.5 FM reports the Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevention Act will make attacks on NJ Transit workers at least third-degree aggravated assault, and allows offenders to be banned from the transit system for at least year. If a deadly weapon is involved, they can be banned for life.
“You know it’s one thing if somebody has a temper issue verbally, but when it actually gets to physical assault or spitting, we wanted to get more teeth in that, so there would be more serious consequences,” NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett told the broadcaster.
The new law came after 158 assaults were reported in 2020 and 183 in 2021. It took effect in January.
Don’t think a new law is going to be a deterrent since local DA’s are not prosecuting or letting them out with a slap on the wrist, banning them from trains, Oh yeah that’s putting the fear of god in them, bet they’ll stop now.
Per NJ lawyer site: “Third-Degree Aggravated Assault Penalties
If a defendant is convicted of 3rd-Degree aggravated assault, they can be sentenced to 3-5 years in prison and be fined up to $15,000.”
Deterrent effect requires idiots to be aware and cognizant of the law. Will be interesting to see if it has begets any .
reduction in these incidents. I think too many people do NOT THINK before they start these events