$800K Boost To Chatham Public Safety Awarded By Rep. Sherrill

CHATHAM, NJ — The Chatham Township Police Department is getting an $809,000 boost to its broadband network, which is meant to improve internet speeds for all first responders.

Chatham Township submitted an application for a community project grant from the state as part of its pledge to exhaust all options to help the police department combat both vehicle and burglary crimes in the neighborhood.

The funding was first announced by Mayor Ashley Felice at the 2023 reorganization meeting earlier this month. "We are grateful to have been awarded the Federal Community Projects Grant through Congresswoman Sherill’s office, which will provide Chatham Township approximately $900,000 to allow us to build out a fiber optic data network."

According to Lieutenant Chris Slayton, the funds will be used to directly install a fiber optic network in Chatham Township, allowing the police department to connect to the ALPR (automated license plate readers) cameras that are located throughout the township.

"We currently have a cellular connection to these cameras, but the fiber optic will be a significant upgrade that will give our officers real-time information in regard to alerts received from the cameras, including stolen vehicles that have entered and are traveling within the borders of Chatham Township," Slayton said.

While the township currently has a license plate reading system in place, according to Lieutenant Brad Hayworth, the current system is slow and has to go through multiple stops before reaching the police.

"If a stolen car enters Chatham Township and passes through a license plate reader, it would send an instant alert to every car that is on the road working saying, 'a stolen car just entered the township at such and such road' so now the officers can flood that area," Hayworth said.

Felice had previously warned the community that many of those involved in these car thefts are career criminals with extensive RAP records. These stolen vehicles are frequently used to commit other crimes such as robberies and homicides, according to police.

"Chatham, like many towns in Morris County and surrounding counties, is a high-value target for these criminals, who come into our town at all hours of the day and night," Felice said.

The committee most recently considered adopting a potential ordinance that would increase the fines for trespassing and trespassing with the intent to steal.

According to committee member Mark Lois, the ordinance could potentially be similar to those passed in neighboring New Jersey communities such as Marlboro, which recently proposed a $2,000 fine or up to 90 days in jail for attempted vehicle theft in the township.

Mayor Ashley Felice gave an update, saying that the committee had recently gone over the order with the township's legal department to make sure everything was in order to draft a potential ordinance.