Aberdeen Police Answer Over 600 Calls to Service During and After Sandy

The Aberdeen Township Police Department responded to or initiated 661 calls for service from Monday, Oct. 29 to the morning of Saturday, Nov. 10.

This included eleven domestic violence incidents, 80 alarms, 71 suspicious persons calls, 78 welfare checks, 30 storm-related incidents, two criminal mischief reports, four thefts, eight burglaries or attempted burglaries and one suspected arson, according to Chief of Police John Powers.

All sworn officers were called to service during the state of emergency, and officers were held beyond their normal tours of duty in order to increase manpower on patrol, Powers said. Detectives and command officers helped patrol the streets to respond to calls as well as increase police presence. Throughout the week, there were typically twice the number of officers on patrol than normal, he said.

According to Powers, officers were instructed to closely monitor neighborhoods, particularly over night in areas with power outages. Patrols were told to use their flashing lights in an attempt to reassure residents deter potential criminals.

"Based on what was being reported to us and what we observed, we determined it was not necessary to draw law enforcement resources away from municipalities that had suffered much greater devastation," he said, explaining that the police command staff met several times to evaluate the need for assistance. 

The following is a list of crimes reported between Oct. 29 and Nov. 10:

BURGLARIES

• Beach Drive:  On Oct. 29 an attempt was made to enter the residence. The homeowners alerted two officers that were parked on Beach Drive and a search of the area was conducted. The actor could not be located.
• Beach Drive: Sometime between Oct. 28 and Oct. 30 someone entered the home and took jewelry.
• CVS, South Atlantic Ave.: On Oct. 30 someone attempted to gain entry by smashing the pharmacy window. No entry was gained and nothing was taken.
• Kwik Shop, Route 516: Sometime between Oct. 30 and Oct. 31someone broke the front window and took cigarettes.
• Wagner’s Marina, Amboy Ave.: Between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 someone removed tools and equipment from the business.
• Peachtree Village, County Rd.:  Sometime between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 the residence was entered and electronics and games were taken.
• Ingram Circle: On Nov. 6 it was reported that someone attempted to gain entry by prying open a window. No entry was made.
• Lloyd Road School: It was reported that on Nov. 6 someone gained entry to the school and rode bicycles in the hallways.

THEFTS

• CITGO, Hwy. 34: On Oct. 29 someone bought gas and left without paying for it.
• West Concourse: Between Oct. 25 and Nov. 5 someone stole copper wire from the solar power equipment at the township pump station.
• WaWa, Hwy. 35:  On Nov. 7 someone reported the theft of a credit card.
• Weston Place:  A resident reported the theft of a bank card.

ARSON

• Seawood Drive:  A fire at a residence on Nov. 4 is being investigated as a suspected arson.