Norcross Bill Granting DRPA Officers Inspection And Enforcement Powers Over Hazardous Materials Cargo And Containers Approved By Senate

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) to grant explicit authority to Delaware River Port Authority police officers to inspect hazardous materials cargo and containers and to take enforcement actions in the event violations of laws and regulations are found, was given final approved today by the full Senate.

The measure (S-1816) is intended to provide Delaware River Port Authority officers in New Jersey the same authority as their counterparts in Pennsylvania. The bill would also provide the officers with inspection and enforcement powers already granted to officers within the New Jersey State Police, the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and certain officials within the state departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection.

“DRPA officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of roadways and bridges that are part of a critical transportation network, and in a post-9/11 world they must be given the full capability to do this effectively,” said Senator Norcross, chair of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. “Affording these officers the power to inspect cargoes and containers entering our state and to enforce penalties associated with violations of the law is essential. It will go a long way to enhance security and to keep our residents safe.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) to grant explicit authority to Delaware River Port Authority police officers to inspect hazardous materials cargo and containers and to take enforcement actions in the event violations of laws and regulations are found, has been signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.

The law (S-1816) is intended to provide Delaware River Port Authority officers in New Jersey the same authority as their counterparts in Pennsylvania. It will also provide the officers with inspection and enforcement powers already granted to officers within the New Jersey State Police, the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and certain officials within the state departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection.

“DRPA officers are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of residents traveling the roadways and bridges in the region,” said Senator Norcross, chair of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. “Empowering officers to inspect cargoes and containers and to enforce penalties associated with violations of the law is critical to this process, as it will allow them to ensure that hazardous materials are shipped properly and securely when entering the state.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) to grant state authority to Delaware River Port Authority police officers to inspect hazardous materials cargo and containers, power currently held by DRPA officers in Pennsylvania and certain officers in New Jersey, was approved today by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

The measure (S-1816) is intended to provide Delaware River Port Authority officers in New Jersey the same authority as their counterparts in Pennsylvania. The bill would also provide the officers with inspection and enforcement powers already granted to officers within the New Jersey State Police, the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and certain officials within the state departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection.

“DRPA officers should be provided the tools they need to perform their jobs effectively and in a manner that will ensure the safety of our residents. Conducting inspections of cargo and containers carried by vehicles traveling on our bridges is an essential part of doing that, as it will allow officers to ensure that hazardous materials are shipped properly and securely when entering the state,” said Senator Norcross, chair of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.