Councilmember under fire for alleged hit-and-run accused of trying to prevent officer from towing car

A Jersey City councilmember already under fire for her role in a hit-and-run is facing renewed calls to step down after video was released of another incident.

News 12 Staff

Aug 2, 2022, 2:26 AM

Updated 878 days ago

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A Jersey City councilmember already under fire for her role in a hit-and-run is facing renewed calls to step down after video was released of another incident.
Hudson County View released body-camera video showing Amy DeGise trying to talk her way out of having her car towed in Hoboken.
The incident happened last November at the intersection of Monroe and Ninth streets in Hoboken after DeGise's illegally parked car was apparently hit by a truck and was about to be towed by police.
Hoboken Police Officer Ramon Calderon can be heard in the video explaining why her car is being towed.
“You got hit by a tractor-trailer making a turn, partially because you're in the no stopping and no stand zone. The other part is that your car's been unregistered since 2019, so it's going to have to be impounded until you register it,” he says.
In the video, DeGise tries to get the officer to call off the tow, telling him she had to get back to work, she had a family member in law enforcement and that she was just elected to council.
"I was endorsed by the J.C. P.D. I'm a councilwoman,” DeGise says.
The officer was not swayed.
"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. This is Jersey state law. You can take what you want from the car now, and you can pick up the vehicle when it's registered and you can get a report,” says Officer Calderon.
This incident came to light just days after CCTV video was released of DeGise's SUV colliding with a cyclist who ran a red light in Jersey City last month.
DeGise never stopped after the crash and received a summons for leaving the scene.
The bicyclist was not severely injured.
In response to the hit-and-run video, a rally was held over the weekend as opponents called for her to step down.
A spokesperson sent News 12 a statement Monday that said DeGise has no plans to resign.
"Amy recognizes the calls that have been made for additional information and transparency. She would very much like to address this situation more comprehensively, but there is a legal process that must play out first,” the statement said.
News 12 received a statement from the city of Hoboken about the towing last November.
It said, "The administration commends the Hoboken police officer who addressed the incident with the utmost professionalism and did exactly what a police officer is trained to do…Any vehicle that is parked illegally and jeopardizing the safety of residents is subject to tow, as was the case with Councilwoman DeGise's car."
Gov. Phil Murphy called DeGise her behavior unacceptable.