Federal Grant Boosts Chatham's Plan For Real-Time Crime Detection 

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Township has received a federal grant in excess of $800,000 to combat the car theft problem that has afflicted not only the township but the entire state of New Jersey.

The grant comes months after Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill visited the township during an auto theft presentation by Lt. Brad Hayworth, promising to help make a difference.

Sherill stated that she was seeking federal funds for the district in order to improve the district's ability to alert Chatham Township Police of stolen vehicles within the township in real time using license plate readers.

The $809,000 grant was presented to Chatham Township Mayor Ashley Felice during a ceremony this week.

The grant will be used to construct a new fiber optic network throughout Chatham Township that will leverage existing safety technology to improve information flow by integrating public safety equipment in parks, streets, and other public spaces with technology in police headquarters.

“I am proud to announce that this grant will be a huge value add to our community,” Felice said. “The speed and capacity of the new network will bring enhanced safety and real-time data to aid in investigating, responding to, and preventing crime in the region. This would not have been possible without the hard work of our staff and Congresswoman Sherrill’s office.”

The new network will collect real-time public safety data from existing situational awareness cameras, license plate readers, and other sensors to aid in the investigation, response and prevention of crime in the region.

"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," Chatham Police Lieutenant Chris Slayton said.

In addition to benefiting the Chatham Township Police Department, the enhanced, real-time information will be shared with over 1,100 Morris County law enforcement and public safety personnel.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon previously warned all Morris County residents that the vehicle theft problem is affecting communities throughout Morris County and throughout New Jersey.

"Your car is extremely likely to be used in the commission of other serious crimes including shootings and murder, it’s happening every day. That’s the real reason they’re taking them, it’s for their anonymity, during the crime spree, and then disposal. These felons are not joyriders, it’s a criminal enterprise and it's happening every day," Gannon said.

Police Chief Brian Gibbons in the neighboring town of Chatham Borough expressed some optimism, saying that not all of the news is bad. Since August 2022, Chatham Borough has experienced an average of fewer than one vehicle theft per month, according to police reports.