Crime in Livingston has dropped significantly in 2026 compared to 2023, Police Chief Gary Marshuetz told the Township Council on Tuesday, July 28.

ALSO SEE | Livingston swears in five new police officers at council meeting

Marshuetz, presenting at the council's regular meeting at Town Hall, called 2023 "not the best year for us" and said the department's efforts have produced measurably better results in 2026. The chief did not release specific percentage figures publicly, but the West Essex Tribune reported that burglary was among the crime categories addressed in his presentation.

The reduction is notable. The 2023 baseline Marshuetz referenced was a period of heightened property-crime concern across Livingston. That February, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill visited the police department to discuss a spike in auto thefts and introduce federal legislation aimed at helping local departments combat the problem. In August 2023, police arrested two teenagers after a homeowner awoke during a burglary.

The department has signaled an aggressive deterrence posture in recent months. On June 24, the township posted on X that the Livingston Police Department would have "zero tolerance for anyone visiting this property with criminal intent," adding that violators would be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." The department also conducted training exercises on North Ashby Avenue on July 22, less than a week before Marshuetz's council briefing.

In an April 5 press release announcing the launch of Smart911 in Livingston, Marshuetz said the system helps dispatchers and officers respond faster by providing detailed household information during emergencies such as house fires and vehicle accidents.

The July 28 meeting was livestreamed on the township's Facebook page.