Gina LaPlaca, the mayor of Lumberton Township, New Jersey, found herself in a precarious situation earlier this month when she was arrested for drunk driving, allegedly with her toddler in the car. This shocking event unfolded on St. Patrick’s Day, and body cam footage from the police officers involved paints a dramatic picture of what transpired.
The footage shows the mayor pulling into her driveway after being pulled over by police, with her son in tow. When approached by officers, LaPlaca immediately takes her child out of the car while the officers begin questioning her about her erratic driving. According to the authorities, they had received multiple calls reporting her dangerous driving. One officer noticed that the front passenger-side mirror was smashed, further suggesting something was amiss.
As the interaction unfolds, the officers question LaPlaca about the damage to the car and her driving behavior. During the exchange, the mayor reveals she had just picked up her son from school. However, things take a turn when LaPlaca proceeds to undergo a series of sobriety tests. The tests reveal that she is unsteady on her feet, tipping over multiple times.
In the midst of this, officers discover a water bottle in her purse that reeks of alcohol. Ultimately, the officers place LaPlaca under arrest, and the body cam footage captures her breaking down in tears, apologizing profusely to the officers. They remind her that they are simply doing their job, and she is taken into custody.
LaPlaca is then transported to the station, where her blood alcohol level is found to be dangerously high. She faces several charges, including driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Despite this incident, LaPlaca remains the mayor of Lumberton Township. However, many residents are calling for her resignation, with some expressing concern over her actions while in office. LaPlaca reportedly sent out an email stating that she has no plans to step down, despite the public pressure.
In a statement to TMZ, LaPlaca’s husband, Jason Carty, revealed that she is currently receiving inpatient treatment to address her issues. He expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from the community, but also shared that their young child had a distressing reaction to seeing his mother on television, still struggling with the fallout of the incident over a week later.
LaPlaca’s actions have raised concerns not only about her personal struggles but also about her ability to continue her leadership role in Lumberton Township. The situation remains in the spotlight, as the community grapples with the impact of the arrest and the ongoing conversation surrounding her future in office.
The arrest of a sitting mayor, especially one involving such serious charges, raises significant questions about accountability and the importance of leadership figures setting positive examples for the public. Whether LaPlaca will be able to regain the trust of her constituents or whether she will choose to step down remains to be seen.
