Maplewood Police Give Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Even if you're not "home alone," the Maplewood Police Department advises residents to follow a recently released list of crime prevention tips for the holidays.

The tips fall into three categories: vehicle theft prevention, personal safety tips when walking at night, and package theft prevention.

The last category has been especially relevant in recent times, with people ordering items online that are delivered to their homes during the day.

Among tips, the police advise having a package delivered to work, or to a friend who will be home. They also advise having packages shipped to the local store or to an Amazon locker, or asking the carrier to leave the package out of plain view.

Regarding car theft, police note that they have dealt with more than 40 car theft cases in which the keys were left in the car. They also advise not leaving personal identifying papers in the car, and considering theft prevention devices.

For walking at night, they advise walking in groups, walking on the sidewalk, and other strategies.

Report suspicious activity to the Maplewood Police Department at 973-762-1234. For more tips, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 973-761-7913 and see the attached graphic.