Bayonne, New Jersey, is an extraordinarily busy port town. Located in Hudson County, Bayonne contains multiple transit hubs, including the Bayonne Bridge, the Port Authority of New York, and New Jersey’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port. Port Authority Police are incredibly active in and around Bayonne, given its close proximity to these and other key Port Authority-owned properties. As you might expect, this leads to arrests and criminal charges against people in Bayonne quite often. Here are some of the most common reasons why people get arrested in Bayonne, particularly by Port Authority Police, and what you can do if you have been charged with a crime in Bayonne. If you have been arrested by PAPD or are otherwise facing criminal charges in Bayonne, NJ, our criminal defense attorneys help people in your situation on a regular basis. With local offices in Hudson County, we defend clients in Bayonne Municipal Court and Hudson County Superior Court against all manner of charges. Whether you have been arrested for marijuana possession, intent to distribute cocaine, unlawful possession of a weapon, large quantities of heroin, or another offense, we have what it takes to effectively defend you. Call (201) 793-8018 for more information or set up an appointment to discuss your case.
Criminal Charges Are Common in Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is an extremely busy place, particularly because of its various transit facilities. Unfortunately, travelers through Bayonne and the Cape Liberty Cruise Port may be stopped by police more frequently than individuals in other New Jersey townships. The Cape Liberty Cruise Port, which is owned by the Port Authority, is a trans-Atlantic passenger terminal in Bayonne. It sits on the northern end of a pier named the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. Royal Caribbean Cruises operates the Cape Liberty Cruise Port and the port is home to Freedom of the Seas, a ship that held a record as the world’s largest cruise ship for many years. As you might imagine, transatlantic travelers move through Cape Liberty Cruise Port with great frequency, with thousands upon thousands of travelers embarking and disembarking on a given day.
In addition to the cruise port, Bayonne also serves as the site of the Bayonne Bridge, a major suspension bridge linking New Jersey and Staten Island. The bridge accommodates two busy lanes of traffic running in each direction. For example, in 2011, over 19,000 cars were recorded as crossing the bridge each day. Given this volume of heavy traffic to and from New York City (the most populous city in the U.S.), passing through Bayonne, the town and its shipping and traffic lanes are heavily policed.
Where You May Be Arrested by Port Authority Police
The Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) was established to protect and enforce state and city laws at all of the properties that fall within the Port Authority’s jurisdiction. Considering all of the bridges, seaports, airports, and tunnels included under this umbrella, it is easy to see why PAPD is the single largest transit police force operating in the United States today. PAPD officers are tasked primarily with policing Port Authority facilities like the Cape Liberty Cruise Port area and the Bayonne Bridge. They are authorized under the laws of both New Jersey and New York to make arrests, serve warrants, carry and use firearms and handcuffs, and issue court summonses.
Travelers Are Often Subject to Police Searches in Bayonne
Individuals passing through Bayonne may be subject to more law enforcement stops here, given that the area is policed by the nation’s largest dedicated transit force. For example, PAPD’s page on the Port Authority website notes that police at crossings like the Bayonne Bridge “maintain a constant campaign against drunk driving.” Port Authority police are also tasked with cutting down on the drug and gun smuggling that occurs every day through ports like Cape Liberty. This often leads to investigations and sometimes, officers find large quantities of drugs and firearms in vehicles passing through Port Authority facilities.
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, which was a Port Authority facility in 2001, PAPD has sponsored a large public service campaign urging everyone to report suspicious behavior to police. This has also led to an increased numbers of tips, which in turn, leads to criminal investigation. In short, Bayonne is under close police supervision near transit terminals.
Charged With a Crime in Bayonne NJ
Given the heavy police presence at Port Authority facilities like Cape Liberty Cruise Port and the Bayonne Bridge, a substantial number of individuals passing through Bayonne are arrested on criminal charges. Cars stopped for suspected traffic violations or commercial trucks stopped for failing to weigh-in, are often found to contain guns or controlled dangerous substances. When officers find things like cocaine, heroin, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, guns, and other illegal items in a person’s car or luggage, things can quickly spiral into serious criminal charges.
Beyond the arrests resulting from Port Authority Police searches, Fordham University researchers have also noted a high number of lewdness arrests at Port Authority facilities. These charges can range in severity from disorderly persons offenses to indictable offenses, depending on the specific lewd conduct involved.
Bayonne NJ Criminal Charge Attorneys
Our team of highly skilled team of attorneys is prepared to assist you with your criminal case if you are facing criminal charges in the Bayonne area. Contact us today for a free consultation. Please feel free to call (201) 793-8018 to speak with a member of our team immediately.
