Lumberton Township (New Jersey) Mayor Gina LaPlaca is facing significant backlash after she was arrested for a DUI on March 17, an incident in which she was found driving erratically with her young son in the vehicle.

LaPlaca, the leader of a small community in the Garden State, was stopped by police after a witness reported her erratic driving and provided her vehicle's license plate number, as Fox News reports.

Officers responded promptly, locating LaPlaca's damaged blue BMW outside her home. The side of the car was scraped, and the passenger side-view mirror was nearly destroyed.

When the police approached LaPlaca, she initially denied having consumed any alcohol. However, after a follow-up question from the arresting officer, she admitted to drinking.

Despite her denial of being involved in any collision by stating, "No, I don't" when asked if she hit anything, the vehicle's condition and the witness account suggested otherwise.

Footage Captures Police Interactions

The police bodycam footage captured LaPlaca outside her residence where she failed a field sobriety test. Despite attempting to convince the officer she was capable, reportedly saying, "No, I'm good," the test results led to her arrest. During the interaction, she removed her son from his car seat, adding an unsettling dimension to the situation.

In her vehicle, police discovered an open bottle with alcohol in it, further incriminating her. Following the failed sobriety test, LaPlaca was taken to the police station for processing.

Her arrest has sparked a wave of public dissent, with many in the community demanding her resignation over the serious nature of the charges, including endangering her child and impaired driving.

At the police station, the mayor expressed concern for her son, requesting, "Can I please go home and see my son?" Even as she was lying on a bench, she asked the officers to reach out to the township's Chief of Police.

Situation Escalates, Distress Grows

LaPlaca’s situation escalated at the station when she consented to a breathalyzer test. Throughout the booking procedure, her distress was evident, showing the personal toll of the events.

Eventually, the decision was made to escort her from the station premises to an ambulance, marking the end of a troubling encounter for the mayor.

The community's reaction to the arrest has been mixed, with many expressing disappointment over the breach of trust by a public official. The nature of the charges, particularly concerning the safety of her child, has amplified the calls for her to step down from her role as mayor.

The incident has raised questions about the impact on her political future and her capacity to lead effectively following such serious allegations. The mayor has yet to publicly respond to the calls for her resignation, leaving residents and supporters eager for her statement on the matter.

Community Response, Political Implications Emerge

This event underscores the broader societal issue of driving under the influence and the responsibilities that come with public office. In light of these developments, LaPlaca’s immediate future remains uncertain as the legal process unfolds.

The charges brought against her are not only a personal crisis but present a critical moment for the township's governance. In the coming days, further developments are anticipated, as the legal proceedings progress and calls for accountability continue to grow.

As the community processes these events, the focus remains on the implications for public safety and trust in local leadership.

This incident will likely serve as a decisive turning point in LaPlaca's political career, as the discourse over her capability to serve effectively as mayor intensifies.

The unfolding of this story serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required in public service roles and the importance of upholding the duties entrusted to elected officials.