Bodycam Shows Mayor Arrested For DUI Demanding Police Chief

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New Jersey Democratic Mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested for DUI after staggering through a field sobriety test with her toddler in tow, then demanding officers call the police chief as she was taken into custody on St. Patrick’s Day.

Key Takeaways

Bodycam footage shows Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca failing sobriety tests after being found in her driveway with her toddler on St. Patrick’s Day.
LaPlaca’s car had visible damage including a crushed side-view mirror, and officers discovered alcohol in a water bottle and a small liquor bottle in her vehicle.
The Democrat mayor initially denied drinking but later admitted to alcohol consumption before being charged with DUI, child endangerment, and driving with an expired license.
LaPlaca’s husband revealed she struggles with addiction and is seeking help, asking the public for support during her recovery.
She is scheduled to appear in court on April 28, 2025, to face multiple charges related to the incident.

Erratic Driving and Arrest Details

The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on March 17 after a concerned citizen called 911 to report erratic driving and provided LaPlaca’s license plate number to authorities. Police approached the Lumberton Township mayor in her driveway as she was removing her young son from his car seat. When officers asked about her condition, LaPlaca insisted, “Yes, I am” fine, but immediately staggered and lost her balance, contradicting her verbal assurance.

Officers observed LaPlaca’s vehicle had a completely crushed side-view mirror. When questioned about the damage, she vaguely mentioned hitting something but provided no specific details. The situation quickly escalated as LaPlaca failed multiple field sobriety tests, visibly stumbling when asked to stand on one leg during the standard procedures that determine intoxication levels.

Failed Sobriety Tests and Admission

The bodycam footage clearly shows LaPlaca’s impaired state as she attempted to perform the sobriety tests. When officers inquired about her drinking, she initially responded, “No, I’m good,” denying alcohol consumption. However, she later admitted to drinking, creating another contradiction in her statements to law enforcement. As the reality of the situation became clear, LaPlaca began crying when officers placed her in handcuffs.

“Can I please go home and see my son?” LaPlaca asked officers as they processed her arrest, according to the bodycam footage that has now become public record.

Further investigation of LaPlaca’s vehicle revealed a water bottle filled with alcohol and a small liquor bottle, adding possession of open containers to her growing list of charges. In addition to finding alcohol in the car, officers determined LaPlaca was driving with an expired license, compounding her legal troubles. She eventually consented to a breathalyzer test and repeatedly requested contact with the township’s Chief of Police during processing.

Charges and Family Response

LaPlaca now faces several serious charges including driving under the influence, reckless driving, and endangering the welfare of a child. The child endangerment charge stands as particularly damaging to her public image, as it involves allegedly placing her own young son at risk through her impaired driving. She was released with a summons to appear in court on April 28 rather than being held in custody.

“Millions of Americans struggle with addiction and never get help. Gina LaPlaca is someone who has struggled, and is now getting the help she needs,” stated her husband Jason Carty in a Facebook post addressing the incident.

Carty’s public statement acknowledges his wife’s battle with addiction while requesting empathy from the community. He emphasized LaPlaca’s contributions to their community and urged residents to remember her positive work while supporting her journey toward recovery. The statement suggests LaPlaca is currently seeking professional help for her addiction issues following this public incident that has jeopardized both her personal freedom and political career.