{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-hosts-roundtable-address-rising-crime-rates-district", "Kean Hosts Roundtable to Address Rising Crime Rates in District", "2023-12-08", "2023", "2023-12", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Thomas H. Kean, Jr.", "K000398", "kean.house.gov", "kean", "https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Contact: Dan Scharfenberger\n\n(December 8, 2023) SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY- Today, Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) hosted a roundtable to address the rising crime rates in the district.\n\nProperty crime has increased in New Jersey\u2019s suburbs, including home break-ins, catalytic converter thefts, and local small businesses being robbed.\n\nIn attendance was Summit Councilwomen Lisa Allen and Deila Hamlet, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, Summit Mayor-Elect Elizabeth Fagan, local law enforcement, small business owners, a local prosecutor, and Summit residents who have had home attempted break ins.\n\n\u201cIn these challenging times, it is paramount that we prioritize the safety of our local communities and our law enforcement personnel so that we may ensure an environment where officers who put their lives on the line to protect the public are adequately supported, equipped, and empowered to carry out their duties,\u201d said Congressman Kean. \u201cI look forward to continuing our collaboration with federal, state, and local officials to prevent violence and crime in our communities, working towards building a safer New Jersey.\u201d\n\n\"Crime is a serious issue in our local communities and needs to be addressed head on,\u201d said Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz. \u201cI am thankful Congressman Tom Kean brought local stakeholders together to promote and discuss this important issue.\"\n\n\u201cWith an issue like crime, where you have overlapping federal and state laws being enforced by local police departments, it\u2019s critically important to have an all-of-government approach,\u201d said Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis. \u201cRoundtables like these are so important to ensure effective crime prevention efforts, and I thank Congressman Kean for his leadership in facilitating this dialogue.\u201d\n\n\"As I have met with residents throughout the year, crime has repeatedly surfaced as a top concern,\u201d said Summit Mayor-elect, Dr. Elizabeth Fagan. \u201cSummit residents are worried about protecting themselves and their families. Addressing crime is a top priority for me as I assume the role as Mayor of Summit so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with Congressman Kean about this topic.\"\n\nOther key efforts Congressman Kean has taken to fight rising crime rates include:\n\nCo-sponsoring Rep. Malliotakis\u2019 Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act, requiring certain state and local prosecutors to report data on criminal referrals and outcomes of cases involving murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, or any offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm.\n\nCo-sponsoring Rep. Baird\u2019s Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act (PART), legislation to establish requirements for motor vehicles related to catalytic converters and other motor vehicle parts that contain precious metals.\n\nCo-sponsoring Rep. Buck\u2019s Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, a bill to expand federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail crime.\n\nCo-sponsoring Rep. Malliotakis\u2019 H.Res 69, a resolution that recognizes and appreciates the dedication and devotion demonstrated by the men and women of law enforcement. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:14:16Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-hosts-roundtable-address-rising-crime-rates-district"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9433422237634659, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}