Gina LaPlaca, the Democrat mayor of Lumberton Township, New Jersey, was arrested on March 17 for allegedly driving under the influence with her 2-year-old son in the vehicle. The arrest has triggered outrage in the community, with many demanding her resignation over what they call a shocking abuse of public trust and reckless endangerment of a child.
Incident Details and Bodycam Footage
Police responded to a call about erratic driving and confronted LaPlaca at her home. Bodycam footage reportedly shows the mayor stumbling, slurring her speech, and struggling to maintain her balance as officers questioned her. When asked whether she had been drinking, she admitted to consuming alcohol prior to picking up her son from daycare.
An open container was discovered in the vehicle, and officers also noted visible damage to the car. LaPlaca failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody. She now faces multiple charges, including:
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Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
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Endangering the Welfare of a Child
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Reckless Driving
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Driving with an Expired License
?FULL BODY-CAM FOOTAGE: NJ Democrat Mayor accused of DUI with her toddler in the car
Gina LaPlaca, 45, Mayor of Lumberton, was charged with DUI and now faces calls for her resignation from Lumberton residents
Police confronted LaPlaca after a bystander reported her driving… pic.twitter.com/CL4053oqQM
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) March 28, 2025
Public Backlash and Calls for Resignation
The arrest has sparked a wave of public criticism, with residents questioning whether LaPlaca is fit to lead the township. Many local citizens have called for her immediate resignation, citing not just the criminal charges, but the risk she posed to her own child.
“This isn’t just a personal mistake—it’s a breach of public responsibility,” said one outraged resident. “If she can’t make safe choices for her own family, how can we trust her to lead ours?”
Mayor’s Family Responds
Her husband, Jason Carty, issued a statement following the arrest, claiming LaPlaca is now seeking treatment for addiction. He asked for privacy and support for their family during what he described as a difficult time.
Court Date and Political Fallout
LaPlaca has been released with a summons and is scheduled to appear in court on April 28. In the meantime, pressure continues to mount for her to step down, especially given the pattern of misconduct among Democrat officials across the country facing similar accusations.
As of now, Mayor LaPlaca has not issued a public apology or statement regarding her arrest. The silence is doing little to calm public frustration, and political observers say her resignation may be inevitable.