Speaking at a Princeton Council meeting on Monday night, Princeton Police Captain Matthew Solovay responded to a recent ‘Walkable Princeton’ report showing that the number of speeding tickets issued by local cops has dropped by 85% since 2019. (Report from 9/21/2025: Princeton Police Now Issuing Less Than One Quarter As Many Speeding Tickets as Before Pandemic). His remarks came as part of a previously-scheduled discussion of the July and August Police Reports. Capt. Solovay agreed that the number of speeding tickets that are being issued has fallen “drastically” since 2019, but argued that it did not undermine the police force’s commitment to traffic safety. His full remarks are posted below.

Full statement by Princeton Police Captain Matthew Solovay at Princeton Council on 9/21/2025:

“The second item that I want to point out that’s reflected in these two reports was brought up by Councilman Cohen at the last meeting I was present at, and most recently it was referenced in articles in in local media, and that is the decline of speeding summones.

That trend is real, but it’s it isn’t sudden and it isn’t unique to Princeton. The issuance of motor vehicle traffic summons is drastically down across the state and the nation. The significant drop occurred in 2020 and speeding summons have remained relatively steady since that point and several factors contributed to this issue.

Staffing constraints, revisions to state legislation, changes in officer mentality, and a broader shift in policing toward education and officer discretion. Quite frankly, policing has changed since 2019. But what hasn’t changed is our commitment to safer streets. This is achieved through traffic engineering, education, and yes, enforcement.

We’re working handinhand with our municipal partners like Deanna [Stockton] and Jim [Purcell] to my left and their engineering teams. We work to find traffic engineering solutions. We’re expanding community education like our recent seminar for our community members over the summer involving vulnerable road users. And also through traffic enforcement. If you look at the reports, you’ll see motor vehicle enforcement is reflected and incurring in a form of motor vehicle stops. The thing that is changing is the outcome of those stops.

My plan moving forward is clear. Staffing a dedicated traffic safety bureau has been challenging in recent years due to vacancies. As we reach full strength in the coming months, we plan to assign additional officers to that unit that will allow more directed patrols, high visibility details, and follow-through on resident complaints. We want to maintain that balance between education and enforcement. Our ultimate goal isn’t to be known for summons production. Our goal is safe, welcoming roadways. engineering, education, and yes, traffic enforcement each play a role in making that a reality.”

Captain Solovay was also promotoed to be the new Princeton Police Chief as part of planned Council business on Monday night.

Related materials: (via princetonnj.gov)

• Video of Princeton Council meeting of 9/21/2025. Chief Solovay’s remarks begin at 22′:31: