For the third consecutive year, the City of Westfield has reported a reduction in its crime rate. Uniform crime rates decreased from 572 in 2017 to 562 in 2018, the lowest the UCR has been since 2012. While the UCR has decreased, Westfield’s population rose by 2,300 from 2017 to 2018.
The crime rate reduction was reported in the WPD’s 2018 Annual Report. The report also detailed the WPD’s new partnership with Westfield Washington Schools, which included adding school resource officers and creating police substations at the schools.
“As a community, we can measure success in many ways, and the safety and security of our community is the most important,” Mayor Andy Cook stated. “Creating a safe community for our families is a priority in Westfield. The fact that our crime rate has gone down three years in a row while our population has gone up is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the Westfield Police Dept.”
In addition to the uniform crime rates decrease, the city also saw a reduction in aggravated assaults, motor vehicle thefts and burglaries. Robberies decreased by 75 percent from 2017. However, property damage and injury-related crashes increased from 2017, prompting an initiative this year to decrease the numbers in those areas.
“I am so proud of the men and women of our team,” WPD Chief Joel Rush stated. “Their hard work and commitment to professionalism shows in the service they provide each day. We love serving the people of Westfield and appreciate the overwhelming support we receive.”
Also in 2018, WPD added four new officers: Clayton Wylie, Jeremy Thomas, Devin Cornwell and Tyler Mitchell. Officers Eli Stubbs and Anuar Velazquez were named the department’s newest K-9 officers.
For more or to view the entire report, visit westfield.in.gov/egov/documents/1551464086_15987.pdf.
