Vehicle Thefts Rise 60 Percent In 2023 In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Vehicle theft is a "problem" in Westfield with 60 percent more reported in 2023 than in 2022, said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro at the Tuesday Council meeting.

Battiloro gave the Council a recap of 2023 statistics at the Jan. 16 meeting.

In 2023, 24 vehicles were reported stolen in Westfield. This is a 60 percent increase from 2022, when there were 15 reported stolen, according to Battiloro.

He noted that this number is an approximate 17 percent decrease from 2021 when there was an all-time high of 28 vehicles reported stolen.

In 2024 so far, no vehicles have been reported stolen.

Battiloro then broke down the 2023 statistical data for Westfield vehicle thefts:

On the northside of Town, there were a total of 9 vehicles reported stolen:

• 5 in Ward 1
• 4 in Ward 2

On the southside of Town, there were a total of 15 vehicles reported stolen:

• 5 in Ward 3
• 10 in Ward 4

There were twice as many vehicles stolen on the south side – this included 5 of the last 6 vehicle thefts reported in the month of December – and twice as many in Ward 4 than any other ward.

Of the vehicles, one-third were left running unattended or were left unlocked with their key fobs in them at the time of their thefts, said Battiloro.

Additionally, 13 vehicles, or 54 percent, were the result of burglaries of structures, such as homes or garages. Two vehicles, or 8 percent, were the result of a burglary to a single-vehicle repair facility. And one vehicle, or 4 percent, was the result of an unreturned rental vehicle from an Avis Car Rental, said Battiloro.

"Also, make no mistake, our officers continue to aggressively combat this vehicle theft problem," said Battiloro.

In 2023, Westfield officers engaged in 27 vehicle pursuits. This marks a 70 percent increase in vehicle pursuits from the prior year when there were 13, according to Battiloro.

Of the pursuits, 25 were with stolen vehicles or suspected stolen vehicles, and 21 of them were the direct result of real-time alerts provided to police by their network of License Plate Reader cameras.

In all, in 2023, Westfield Police officers responded to 288 real-time alerts from LPR cameras for stolen vehicles and vehicles displaying stolen license plates.

The problem is not just a Westfield problem however, it is a statewide problem, noted Battiloro.

"There is no municipality in Union County where vehicle theft was not reported. There were even vehicle thefts reported in Winfield Park," said Battiloro.

Statewide numbers showed there were 16,605 vehicles reported stolen in the state in 2023 - an approximate 4.5 percent increase from 2022, when there were 15,898 vehicles reported stolen, said Battiloro.

"Thus far this year, in New Jersey, there were 610 vehicles reported stolen – including 36 in the last 24 hours – for an average of 38 vehicles stolen per day. This marks a 7 percent increase in stolen vehicles thus far in this year over 2023," said Battiloro.

"This problem should be a very big concern to all of us – and one that I have said before causes us to demand changes from our state lawmakers," said Battiloro. "Until that happens, the Westfield Police Department will do its very best to ensure your safety."

To combat this rising trend, Battiloro said Westfield officers are continuing to aggressively patrol the entire town and they have adjusted patrol shift start and end times.

Officers are running with higher staffing during certain hours of the day than they normally do, and they are implementing measures to make officers even more visible during hours of darkness, when most of these vehicle thefts occur.

Officers are using "cruise" lights when patrolling residential neighborhoods.

Additionally, Westfield Police will have 10 more license plate readers bringing their total to the town with the third highest amount.

"Our officers will continue to aggressively seek out these thieves, and when we find them, we will drive them out – but we will do it in full accordance with the law, attorney general law enforcement directives, and our own self-imposed professional standards," said Battiloro.

Battiloro also asked the public for their support and help.

"You are our eyes and ears out there. I strongly encourage you to be neighborly, to look out for one another, and to report any and all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities immediately via 9-1-1. If we are not already in your neighborhood, we’re never far away," said Battiloro.

To read Battiloro's full statement click here.

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