Berkeley Heights added six police positions with no fiscal impact statement or needs assessment, even as FBI data shows the township's crime rates sit well below state and national averages, according to an independent analysis published Wednesday by NJ21st.

The township council approved the expansion Tuesday, Sept. 15, after the measure had come before the public three times since July. The ordinance creates a deputy chief position, one additional lieutenant and four patrol officers, according to TAPinto's reporting on the ordinance's introduction in July.

Council members who voted yes did not speak in support of the measure, NJ21st reported. Council Member Moran, described as a former police chief, cast the lone no vote and explained his reasoning at the meeting.

The council has said the positions will not be filled for more than two years and would require separate budget approval.

FBI data shows declining crime

The NJ21st analysis, authored by John Migueis, drew on FBI Crime Data Explorer figures covering 2024 and 2025. Berkeley Heights recorded five violent crimes and 41 property crimes in 2025, down from six violent crimes and 88 property crimes the year before. The FBI placed the township's population at 14,845 in 2025.

Statewide, New Jersey's violent crime fell 11.3% and property crime dropped 12.5% over the same period. Nationally, 46 states saw less violent crime and 48 saw reduced property crime.

New Jersey's 2025 violent crime rate of 193.8 per 100,000 residents was nearly 41% below the national rate of 327.6. The state's property crime rate of 1,249.6 was more than 18% below the national rate of 1,534.8.

Migueis wrote that "tax dollars are finite and making decisions on how dollars are best spent requires good and available data v. vague sales pitches on safety and 'we support our police' mantras."

Residents questioned expansion since July

The push for more officers dates to at least July, when Police Chief Frank Mea told the council the expansion reflected a five-year staffing plan developed after the department's reaccreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, TAPinto reported. Mea said the department's 28 officers had remained largely unchanged for decades despite population growth and increased traffic.

Former Councilwoman Jeanne Kingsley challenged the proposal at the July 28 introduction. "I'm not saying it's right or wrong, guys … I'm saying give us, take us there. Give us the details. Give us the support," Kingsley told the council, as reported by TAPinto.

Former Mayor Bob Woodruff also urged caution at that July 28 meeting, suggesting the council require concrete data on overtime trends or call-type breakdowns before authorizing positions years in advance, TAPinto reported.

Analysis also questions Summit ALPR data

The NJ21st analysis also examined Summit's crime figures. Violent crime in Summit rose from 13 to 25 incidents between 2024 and 2025, a 92.3% increase. Property crime fell from 166 to 103, a 38% drop. Both rates remained below state and national averages.

The analysis noted that Summit Councilmember Dan Crisafulli defended the city's use of automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, at a September meeting, citing anecdotal reports from Police Chief Ryan Peters and two newly elected Assembly representatives. No supporting documentation appeared in the meeting agenda.

NJ21st reported Sept. 12 that Summit was the only local department to provide requested ALPR audit information transparently. The Berkeley Heights Police Department, when asked for records describing ALPR violations and corrective action, responded that "No record exists."

The six new Berkeley Heights positions are now authorized. Hiring remains at least two years away, according to council statements.