Bills to Reduce Car Break-ins

session
June 3, 2021

Car thefts and break-ins have been a national problem for several years now. Although data shows that these crimes have been steadily decreasing state-wide, we have seen a large spike in Central Connecticut since the start of the pandemic.

The legislature has taken action to prevent and deter these crimes. 

Both HB 6505 and SB 1093 will provide more tools to help law enforcement and the judicial branch effectively tackle the issue.  
SB 1093 criminalizes adults for the act of enticing a minor into committing a crime, such as a car theft or break-in. The first violation for enticing a minor will be a class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one-year imprisonment, up to a $2,000 fine, or both. Subsequent offenses will be charged with a class D felony, which is punishable by up to a $5,000 fine, up to five years in prison, or both.  
 
The bill also requires the Judicial Branch to study ways to reduce juvenile recidivism, and to decrease the time between a child’s arrest and their court appearance. They must also examine the feasibility of establishing a diversionary program for arrested children, in which the participants must report to a judge, juvenile probation officer, or licensed clinical social worker, on a weekly basis from the time of arrest through the matter’s adjudication. 
 
HB 6505 will provide the Judicial Branch with resources to improve juvenile detainment requests.

These bills are testaments to the fact that the safety of our vehicles and homes is a top priority of local and state government.