Car Thefts and Home Burglaries

Message from Police Chief
There have been suggestions recently that notifications be sent out to residents any time a car is stolen or a home is burglarized to advise residents to secure their vehicles and dwellings. Typically, the incident would be long over by the time such public notice could be sent out and often is long over by the time it is reported to Police. Such messages, therefore, would serve no public safety purpose.

While it may serve as a reminder to some to lock their car or secure their home, the risk of alarming other residents would mitigate any benefit. Multiple warnings and announcements have been sent out via Nixle, eblast and posted on the Borough’s website imploring residents to protect their homes and vehicles by locking them, including the following message that was sent out several months ago in response to a similar suggestion:

Residents have been expressing their concerns over recent car burglaries and thefts that have occurred during the past few days. I understand the concerns but the solution is pretty straightforward. The truth is that EVERY car that has been stolen in town was left unlocked with the key or the key fob in it. Car thieves do not break into and then hot wire cars to steal them anymore. Only one vehicle in recent memory had a window broken to gain entry and that vehicle had a high value item clearly visible on the front seat. Every other vehicle that has been entered was found unlocked. We have been vigilant in our patrol practices and have actually encountered and pursued the actors on multiple occasions.
The events that are taking place are crimes of opportunity. My best advice is to remove anything of value from your car (including the garage door opener), lock the car and take your keys or key fob with you into the house. If this advice were followed, our stolen and vehicle entry problem would be greatly curtailed. We cannot stop people with criminal intent from coming into the Borough; however, we certainly don't have to make it easy for them. If they aren't provided with easy targets, they'll stop coming.

It is imperative that when suspicious activity, no matter how benign it may seem, is observed, please call the police. If there is a question in your mind as to whether or not to place a call, PLEASE make the call – 201-891-3131.

As always, I am willing to meet directly with any resident that has these or any other concerns. Feel free to reach out to me.

Police Chief Carmine Pezzuti
201-891-4000, ext. 2010
CPezzuti@franklinlakes.org