WESTFIELD, N.J. - Police in Westfield are trying to crack down on auto theft after reporting 24 vehicles stolen in 2023, a 60 % increase from the year before and its second-highest total ever.
"It tells us the problem isn't necessarily getting better, it's getting worse," said Chief Christopher Battiloro.
It is getting worse at the state level, too; according to the latest data from the New Jersey State Police. The Garden State saw another increase in auto thefts last year, with 16,605. That is up from 15,898 in 2022 and 14,438 in 2021.
"This problem is focused on Essex and Union counties," said Battiloro.
Battiloro states their proximity to the ports and the affluent town's expensive cars have drawn thieves to Westfield, but the town has been fighting back.
You may pass by them without even knowing they are there, but there are ten license plate readers (LPRs) in various locations in Westfield that alert police to any plate that comes back as stolen.
"They've been very successful for us such that the mayor has ordered the implementation of 10 more," said Battiloro.
Those new LPRs, the chief says, will be installed in the coming weeks. But it is not just stationary LPRs that have eyes on the roads.
"We've upgraded our mobile video digital recording systems in our cars, such that they have LPR capability," said Battiloro.
This new system is in addition to some of the older-generation LPRs seen on top of police cruisers.
As to all those who commit these crimes, Battiloro said, "We will seek to find you, we will seek to apprehend you and we will seek to charge you."
Battiloro says statewide, more than a thousand vehicles have already been reported stolen in 2024. Westfield has not had reports of any stolen cars yet in 2024.
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