Reducing Car Thefts

From Mayor Bivona and Police Chief Carmine Pezzuti

In the next few days, all Borough residents will be receiving a postcard from Mayor Frank Bivona and Police Chief Carmine Pezzuti with a message on the recent surge in car thefts within the Borough and throughout the State. The postcard features a “Lock It or Lose It” graphic which is an effort to get car owners to effectively help address the issue by locking their cars.

In addition, you will see signs posted around the Borough with the “HIDE Your Things, LOCK Your Car and TAKE Your Keys” message, as well as articles on the Borough’s website and on the Borough’s social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) reinforcing this message.

 
In 2022, as recently reported in an extensive article in The Record – click here for a copy of the article – car thefts State-wide have surged by 23% as compared to last year. In Franklin Lakes, the rate of increase in car thefts is similar to the State-wide rate of increase. See chart below showing the number of car thefts in the Borough over the past 15 years – the 2022 number is through August.

Without exception, these car thefts are the result of residents leaving their car unlocked and, in nearly all cases, leaving the key fob in the car. Unlike other types of crimes which can be very difficult to reduce, car thefts can be virtually eliminated if residents simply locked their cars.

The Police Department is doing its part with active patrolling and, when appropriate, pursuit of these criminals. The Police Department is aggressive in its enforcement. They have strategically placed license plate reader cameras which are on a County-wide network to help identify and locate these criminals. However, for a number of reasons, pursuit and arrest is not the best way to stop this surge. The best way is to take away the prize – the expensive unlocked car with the key fob inside.

This campaign is an effort to bring the public’s attention to this problem and to the solution. The Mayor and Council and the Police Department are asking residents to do their part. Please help spread the word – “Lock It or Lose It.”