Maplewood Police Urge Common Sense To Protect Property

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - Maplewood is often plagued with package thefts and with the holiday season upon us, the Maplewood Police Department are asking for residents to protect their property and their prospective property.

In order to reduce the amount of thefts, authorities are suggesting:

• Attempt to schedule deliveries when someone will be home
• Have packages delivered to a work address
• Make arrangements with a neighbor or friend to have the packages brought inside once delivered

Be alert and contact the police if you observe individuals following delivery trucks or unfamiliar individuals on foot that appear to be casing homes where packages have been delivered.

Those residents who contact police are asked to get as much descriptive information as possible including:

• Type of vehicle
• Color
• Make/model
• License plate info

They also are asking for as many details about the occupants of these vehicles as possible, including:

• Age
• Hair color
• Clothing description & color
• Distinguishing features like facial hair, tattoos, height, or anything else that may help the officers catch them.

"Securing your property and your calls can have an impact on reducing crime and catching criminals. Please continue to partner to prevent crime," police said in a statement.

The Maplewood Police also noted that beyond package theft, residents should assist them in protecting themselves and their property.

"Vehicles should be locked without any valuables left in view. It is very rare that entry is forced into a vehicle in order to commit a theft and typically only occur when something of value is left in plain view," authorities said. "The vast majority of property crimes committed in the township are preventable by properly securing vehicles, homes and other property."

The same, they noted, was true for auto thefts.

"The majority of the vehicles stolen over the past few years have been because the vehicles were left running and/or because they had been left unsecured with keys or valet keys inside of them," police said. "We are asking that you assist us in reducing these crimes by making sure all vehicles and homes are properly secured at all times."

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