Speeders Beware: Westfield Police To Crack On Offenders

WESTFIELD, NJ – Those with a lead foot may want to avoid the town of Westfield for the forseeable future there will be enhanced enforcement, according to Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

“With the arrival of the back-to-school season, the time is right to take additional steps to ensure our motorists are complying with speed limit laws,” said Battiloro. “Our priority in Westfield is to promote a culture of safety, and we will be using all tools at our disposal – old and new – to do so in every part of town.”

Residents are advised that strict enforcement will include a lower threshold of tolerance over the posted speed limits in order to promote positive behavioral changes among drivers. In addition, Westfield Police will be utilizing a new, low profile radar enforcement car with ghost graphics (not as visibly marked as a standard patrol car), as well as a police motorcycle newly equipped with a compact computer and printer set up for electronic ticketing. Battiloro also noted that officers will be more heavily enforcing pedestrian right of way laws to further improve safety downtown and throughout Westfield.

“One of the top concerns we hear voiced by residents is pedestrian safety, particularly in our busy downtown area,” said Mayor Shelley Brindle. “This push by our police department to enforce speed limits and yielding to pedestrian laws is not only timely and necessary, but also emphasizes our approach of focusing resources on issues that impact quality of life for residents.”

Battiloro said the initiative is not intended to be a surprise operation.

“Everyone should know that our efforts are focused on this priority for the foreseeable future, and hopefully that will result in fewer infractions,” Battiloro said.

Brindle said as the school year approaches, they are placing a renewed emphasis on traffic and pedestrian safety by stepping up the traffic enforcement.

"Please obey posted speed limits and traffic laws, and be kind to the officers who are simply doing their jobs," Brindle said.

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