Westfield Police: Teens Need To Stop Hanging Out On Rooftops

WESTFIELD, NJ — Police Chief Christopher Battiloro and Mayor Shelley Brindle held a live virtual forum on Wednesday morning to answer residents' questions about recent local events. Among other issues, Battiloro said that the problem of teens hanging out in groups has become severe enough that one youth was taken into custody over the weekend by officers, until his parents could respond.

"His demeanor was less than acceptable toward the police," Battiloro said. "Our officers have a job to do. If they meet resistance they're going to take appropriate action."

Battiloro said that the police will take youths into protective custody if they exhibit "belligerent, disrespectful behavior" toward officers, and will be held until parents can come and get to them. He said if that doesn't help, the next step is a juvenile delinquency complaint. But he said he hopes it doesn't come to that.

The issue came up because, as noted in a release from the mayor and chief last week, dozens of teens have been gathering at Mindowaskin Park after sundown.

"We have woken up to find trash strewn all over the playground, equipment broken and vandalized, signs missing, and residents reporting rocks thrown at their cars," the pair wrote a week ago.

Battiloro said Wednesday that the town had taken steps to combat the behavior in the park, such as adding police patrols and two 30-foot light poles.

But now, he said, the teens are gathering elsewhere: riding bikes on sidewalks downtown, and gathering on rooftops of buildings.

Battiloro and Mayor Brindle said they know some of the kids are not from Westfield. Brindle noted that the juvenile taken into custody was from Springfield.

Brindle said she understood that teens need things to do. Right now, some Westfield students are on remote education, and others are attending hybrid schooling. Brindle said that a community center with space for teens, or some other gathering place, would help.

"They're in desperate need of socialization," she said, "but being disrespectful is unacceptable."

She said it falls to parents to make sure their children are respectful to officers.

The police chief also said he's concerned about Mischief Night falling on a Friday, and that he will have extra patrols. He said that parents should make sure children have respect for people's property.

The town has come up with a host of Halloween activities and given guidance. (See links to Westfield and Addamsfest events here.)

Car thefts

Battiloro said that the problem of car thefts has been growing, and urged residents to lock their cars. Thieves have been preying on drivers in Westfield and other nearby towns such as Summit who leave their key fobs in their cars, or leave their vehicles unlocked.

Battiloro said there have been 24 car thefts so far this year, compared to 22 in all of 2019. But he said he's starting to see more thefts in surrounding areas, meaning that reinforcing safety rules has been working locally and "displacing the problem."

Residents were invited to ask questions. A resident asked why police officers had been spotted downtown without masks, at the same time as the town encourages other to wear masks.

Battiloro said the officers must wear masks by executive order 163 (stating people must wear masks inside public places, as well as outdoors when they aren't six feet apart), and he has reiterated to his officers that they must do so.

To see the video, click here.

Any resident near Mindowaskin Park who observes trespassing after dark or any other unacceptable activity can call the Police Department at 908-789-4000.

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