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Auto Theft Task Force
Lt. James D. O'Connor was a key figure in the Newark Police Department (NPD) in New Jersey during the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly associated with efforts to combat auto theft. Below is a summary of his role, the task force he helped lead, and related context based on available records. Lt. Jim O'Connor was a "Hands On Leader" understanding the risk an d the danger of the job!
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​ATF Firearms tracing and mapping : Using historical firearms recovery data - Lt. OConnor used the Gun Maps provided by ATF to identifiy "gun hot spots '. 'Gun maps where displayed an part of roll call training.
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Involvement in Auto Theft Initiatives:
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In the mid-1990s, under then-NPD Director Joseph Santiago, Lt. O'Connor was involved in early auto theft response efforts. Following a surge in teen-related car thefts, and gangs. Lt. Jim O'Connor reported his finding at a CompStat on the LA Gang "The Bloods" at 6th Ave an 14th street
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when shown evidence the Captains laughed in disbelief, at Lt. Jim O'Connor , his only supporter was the Chief Of Police, Three Days later Newark Had it's first Blood Gang related homicide. (A Latin King was gunned down in a social club on Mt Pleasant street.)
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CompStat meeting is a regular meeting for police leaders and commanders to review crime statistics for their areas, discuss crime patterns and strategies, and ensure accountability for crime reduction.
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By 1998, O'Connor had advanced to overseeing personnel for the Newark Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF), a dedicated unit focused on recovering stolen vehicles, issuing citations, and disrupting theft rings. He hand-picked members, who required approval from the NPD Chief and Director.
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NPD ATTF - the Wolf Pack.
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Establishment and Mission: Formed in the early 2000s as part of NPD's broader crime reduction strategy, the ATTF targeted organized auto theft, including chop shops, export rings, and street-level recoveries and street gangs. It collaborated with federal, state, and local agencies,.
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​Lt James O'Connor proved that Air to Ground operations worked in Newark, N.J. Using the NJ State Police Chopper NJ#4 to spot an track carjackers from the air "Air Wolf".
​​​​These efforts contributed to Newark's multi-year decline in overall crime rates.
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​​Under Lt. James O'Connor's Leadership , the ATTF produced the following results:
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​​Under Lt James O'Connor Newark went from the Auto Theft Capital of the world to a safe City with a Forty Five Percent Reduction in Auto theft, erasing Newark distinction as the "Auto Theft Capital of the America"
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​​Violent crime was reduced by 25 %.
​Violent gang related crimes reduced by 54%
​​543 loaded firearms recovered with arrests
​​2 gang members caught selling guns
​872 occupied stolen autos recovered with 1464 arrests
​​4 chop shops uncovered 2 with search warrants
​43 armed car jackers arrested
​5 homicide suspects arrested
​83 armed robbery suspects arrested
​3 gang members arrested for sexual assault/kidnapping
​765 narcotics arrests and $202,277.90 confiscated
​​74 incidents were officers were assaulted - resulting in
​(1) Detective - Broken neck
​(4) Detectives - Disabling back injuries
​Total Arrests: 3164
​12,435 motor vehicle summons
​In October 2003, the entire ATTF was honored as the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's Officers of the Month for their impact on crime prevention. NPD Director Robert K. Rankin Jr. praised the unit as a "fine example" of specialized initiatives driving Newark'
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Leadership Structure:
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Commander : Lt. James O'Connor.
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Core Team (2003): Included Sergeant Gerry Guanci, Sergeant Arthur Jorge, Sergeant Jose Gonzalez (outstanding Sergeants they "Lead and Serve".
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Detectives such as Anthony Arce, John Batista, Kenny Brown, Vernon Bradbury, Lenny Breaux, Peter Bumalag, Stacy Conley, James Cosgrove, Andre Evans, Angel Gonzalez, Billy Devil Golpe, Kenny Irving, John Kirk, Victor Manata, Barry Mozell, Hector Moya, Steven Rivers, Matt Ruane, Tom Ruane, James Stewart Jr., Jose Vasquez, Efrain Velazquez, and Mike Walker. ​
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Newark Police ATTF WTC 911 Response.
LT. James O'Connor & others WTC 911 Cancer Survivors.
All WTC 911 Responders please stay healthy, an get an annual medical check up. ​
