Auto Thefts Drop 87 Percent In Westfield In 2024 Due To Rise In Police Pursuits

WESTFIELD, NJ — After police taking an aggressive traffic enforcement approach, the number of auto thefts in Westfield has dropped to a record low - a number not seen since 2016.

"You don't hear anyone talk about auto thefts anymore," said Mayor Shelley Brindle during the Tuesday night Town Council meeting. "It's really quite remarkable and it's been a long investment and the results are finally paying off."

So far in 2024, there have been only three reported vehicle thefts compared to 24 in 2023 — an 87.5 percent decrease.

Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro gave the Council a recap of statistics so far in 2024.

"Make no mistake we continue to be targeted," said Battiloro, who noted that due to the police officers' response and their aggressive patrol tactics have made Westfield "a more difficult, less desirable target."

Vehicle theft had been a problem for Westfield for years.

Between 2017 and 2023, there were 166 vehicles reported stolen from Westfield — an average of 24 per year, according to Battiloro.

With record highs of 28 auto thefts reported in 2017 and 2021. Of the 24 vehicles reported stolen in 2023 in Westfield, eight or one-third of vehicles were left unlocked with their keyfobs inside or left running unattended at the time of their thefts.

To bring this number down, Westfield Police began taking a more aggressive traffic enforcement approach. Additionally, Westfield began installing License Plate Readers(LPR) at various entrance points into Westfield in the latter part of 2021.

Another 10 were implemented at end of 2023 for total of 25.

The readers send out real-time alerts to police to notify them of a reported stolen vehicle or a stolen license plate.

"While these LPR cameras provide us with real-time information, it is what we do with that information that is making the difference. Our patrol officers are doing an absolutely incredible job at responding to it," said Battiloro.

In 2023, Westfield Police Officers engaged in 27 vehicle pursuits, which is about a 100 percent increase from 2022 when they engaged in 13 vehicle pursuits. This is also an 800 percent increase since 2021 when police engaged in just 3 vehicle pursuits.

Of those 27 vehicle pursuits, 21 were the direct result of response to LPR real-time alerts. Twenty of the pursuits turned up stolen vehicles, and one was a vehicle displaying stolen license plates.

"These pursuits have been a matter of necessity and they firmly demonstrate that our officers are fully engaged and repeatedly forcing the criminal element out," said Battiloro.

Additionally, Westfield is the only town in Union County to assign a full-time police officer to the auto theft task force.

As a result of the police's efforts, only three vehicles were reported to date in 2024. The vehicles were stolen on March 17, July 15 and Sept. 1. An average of just one vehicle stolen per quarter.

"We have not seen single-digit vehicle thefts this low since 2016 when there were just five vehicles reported stolen," said Battiloro.

Battiloro stressed that the police department strives to " make Westfield less desirable, less attractive to criminals. That's why the pursuits have been an absolute necessity. An 800 percent increase over the last two years but they send a message."

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