Stunning bodycam footage just released by police shows Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca — a rising figure in New Jersey’s Democratic Party — stumbling, slurring, and sobbing as officers arrested her on St. Patrick’s Day for allegedly driving drunk with her young child in the car.
Around 5:40 p.m. on March 17, police responded to a 911 call from a concerned citizen who reported LaPlaca’s BMW weaving through local roads. Officers caught up with the 45-year-old mayor as she pulled into the driveway of her suburban home.
The first thing police noticed? Her shattered side-view mirror.
“Are you OK?” one officer asked as LaPlaca attempted to remove her toddler from the backseat.
“Yes, I am,” she replied — only to immediately lose her footing and crash into her car door. Officers then asked her about the damaged mirror. LaPlaca hesitated before admitting, “I hit something… I don’t know.”
That would soon become a theme.
A Broken Mirror and a Broken Excuse
As the situation escalated, officers asked LaPlaca to perform field sobriety tests. On camera, she wobbled as she tried to stand on one leg, barely able to keep her balance. It was then that she broke down, weeping as officers placed her in handcuffs.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly through tears.
But the most damning discovery came from inside her car — a plastic water bottle reeking of alcohol and a small liquor bottle tucked away. Officers documented both items and added them to the evidence.
Democrat Mayor Facing Serious Charges
LaPlaca now faces multiple charges: driving under the influence, reckless driving, and endangering the welfare of a child. She has been released on a court summons and is scheduled to appear before a judge on April 28.
The mayor, a longtime Democratic operative and former aide to several state legislators, has yet to issue a public statement. Her official social media accounts have gone dark since the incident.
Critics Call for Accountability
Republican leaders in Burlington County wasted no time calling for her resignation.
“This isn’t just about a bad decision — it’s about a complete betrayal of public trust,” said GOP committee member John Marshall. “She put a child’s life at risk, and that should disqualify anyone from holding office.”
LaPlaca had been seen as a potential candidate for higher office, once boasting close ties to key figures in Trenton. Her sudden fall from grace has left locals in shock.
“This is not the woman we thought we elected,” one Lumberton resident said. “We expect our leaders to protect children, not endanger them.”
With court proceedings looming and public outrage growing, the question remains: will Mayor LaPlaca stay in office — or finally step aside?
One thing is clear — St. Patrick’s Day was anything but lucky for this embattled Democrat.
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