Police Release Footage Of New Jersey Mayor’s Arrest For Alleged DUI After Locals Call For Her To Resign

Police released footage of Mayor Gina LaPlaca’s March 17 arrest for allegedly driving under the influence with her young child in the car.

The video showed LaPlaca’s interactions with police officers at her home in the moments leading up to her arrest. She appeared to stumble and lose her balance almost immediately after exiting her vehicle.

“What did you drink” one of the officers asked. The mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, appeared to reply, “A little bit of vodka.”

LaPlaca’s young son was ushered into the home as police ran field sobriety tests showing LaPlaca’s apparent struggle. The mayor could be seen sobbing as she was handcuffed and put into the back of the police vehicle.

Police said they located a water bottle containing vodka and a small liquor bottle in LaPlaca’s car.

A witness allegedly saw the mayor driving recklessly and then noticed the child. Police said the incident occurred at 6:11 pm on St. Patrick’s Day, according to NBC Philadelphia. The individual provided a video that allegedly showed a vehicle swerving across lanes while and almost striking a utility pole.

Court documents indicated LaPlaca “appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense,” according to NBC Philadelphia.

Police charged the mayor with DUI and endangering the welfare of a child.

Her arrest prompted multiple locals to call for Mayor LaPlaca to resign at a Lumberton Township Committee meeting Thursday.

Committee member Terrance Benson said he believes Mayor Gina LaPlaca should resign her post.

“My personal opinion is for the mayor to step down and to heal herself,” Benson said to NBC Philadelphia.

Numerous people voiced their concerns during a public comment period that lasted for more than an hour.

“There is a huge black eye and black cloud over our town right now,” business owner and resident Amy Callahan said.

“I do believe that we need to move forward as a community and for us to truly turn the page. I believe that cannot occur with her on our council,” she continued, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Callahan said the mayor emailed her to say she does not intend to resign.

The town’s attorney informed residents that New Jersey law and the township’s code did not allow the committee to immediately remove Mayor LaPlaca from her seat.

“She was elected by you and the only way for her to be removed is for her to resign or for you to take whatever action you deem necessary to move forward with a recall election,” the attorney said, according to NBC Philadelphia news.

“Gina is currently in inpatient treatment addressing her issues,” LaPlaca’s husband said in a statement to Action News.