By Paul Goldfinger
Lately we’ve been hearing a great deal about small-town crime in the Grove including bicycle thefts, car break-ins and house burglaries. One house invasion occurred while the occupant was home upstairs. Last week a panhandler was arrested in town. A few weeks ago a man knocked on a door and told the woman who answered that he just got out of prison and needed money. She was intimidated —she gave him money. She said she felt “fear and anger.”
But there is another sort of small-town crime in Ocean Grove which we need to discuss, and that is when small items are taken from a porch or garden. Last week, we received an email from a Grover who had his flag stolen from his porch. He was very upset and said that he felt “violated.” Another neighbor had some new spring flowers cut and taken. She is a serious gardener and she was horrified.
We know of small-time crooks (apologies to Woody) stealing flower pots, engraved plaques, porch cushions, iron urns, lawn signs, stuffed animals and decorative lights. Last year we lost two copper planters to thieves who successfully fenced them in Neptune Township. Last summer, two teen-age girls on bicycles stopped at our neighbor’s house to steal a pruner off the porch. We challenged them; they didn’t even know what they had.
In traditional small-town America, people leave their doors and possessions unlocked. But many of those towns are in rural areas where there is no street traffic, and the houses tend to be spaced far apart. In Ocean Grove, some people chain their porch furniture, and some people lose their bikes even when they have been locked.
Although the dollar cost of stolen items in the Grove is often relatively small, the true price is much higher in terms of the corrosive psychological effect on residents who live here and expect a certain kind of carefree comfort and safe lifestyle. It is the idea that someone would come onto your property and take something of yours that perhaps is more concerning than the loss of the item itself.
If the people in Ocean Grove begin to feel anxiety about recurrent crime, even petty crime, then the real cost may become noticeable in terms of how people feel about their town.
The Neptune Township PD maintains a presence in the Grove, and they have shown their concern regarding all sorts of criminal activity here. We the citizens need to understand that recurrent small crimes can take their toll, and we need to help control the problem by reporting every one that occurs. And, as my neighbor Meredith says, “If you see something, say something.”
I M Radar- not sure what part of town you live in but Mt Tabor regularly has Neptune PD driving it. I’d also like to add that any time I have had to call NTPD I’ve had quick, courteous and professional response. And OGCP does an excellent job of being an extra set of eyes and ears. If you have an extra few hours a month maybe you would consider joining? I’ve been a member for about 10 years now and as soon as my son got his license he joined too. It takes a village to keep a village safe (to paraphrase a bit lol)
Mary Beth….
Are all the few streets in Ocean Grove being covered by police vehicles on a regular basis? If so, when and how often?
Obviously, potential thiefs know where the high taxpayers live?
Last winter, an attempt was made to break into my garage and this winter my flag and flag pole were stolen. I also was approached by a panhandler asking for work and saying he was homeless. I gave him some work and some cash for doing the work and then he showed up the next night at 9:30 pm at my door asking for more money. I was scared and intimidated also. I did report this to the Neptune police – they sent out a very nice officer who advised that in the future I shouldn’t open the door, but instead, call the Neptune police who will deal with him.
Angie
I agree that everyone should be aware and report anything that seems out of the ordinary. Over the years crime has lessened to the point that most folks do not chain down their porch furniture anymore but it still isn’t right that they are having their plants, flags, bikes stolen.
I hope the panhandler that was arrested was the same man who has been bothering OG for the past few summers. He either says he is just out of jail and is hungry or he wants money to take a train to see his family. Last summer he approached my husband and me twice and he has approached my folks more than that. When we would report him to the OG police they just said they are aware of him and they can’t catch him. We heard from one policemen that he hits on the tenters for food especially after dark.
I agree we need to keep an eye open and be aware of our surroundings. I had a 16 ft. aluminum ladder stolen from the rear of my home this spring. The idea of strangers even walking around my property is annoying.
I live near the north end, near the derelict swimming pool. There are 4 to 5 foot weeds that surround the east side of the pool…..These were the same weeds that caused the fire in the old maintenance building. That’s where we have found homeless guys living between the weeds and the tree area. The Citizen Patrol keeps an eye on the area with the spotlights from the patrol cars.
What I would really like to stress is that the O.G.Citizen Patrol can always use new members. These volunteers work many hours driving and watching the community.
Volunteers can serve at the base station or drive a car as little as two hours a month, and it really helps the Grove.
OhGee, call me at 732-272-7888 next time. I promise there will be a different result. You shouldn’t have gotten that answer, and I’ll take it up with the Chief so it doesn’t happen again.
I called Neptune PD recently, not about a crime, but about contractors on my street repeatedly parking in a designated Fire Zone. The officer that answered the phone seemed annoyed and told me he’d ‘get someone’ to take care of it. No officer ever showed up, no tickets were issued.
You are totally correct about maintaining the safety of OG not only for the continuance of the wonderful lifestlyle that we enjoy, but for the whole economic picture of this little town. Where we live there are some real issues that exist. Some of the neighbors have met with representatives of the police dept. We have been advised to call them again and again and again. You can remain anonymous. Just call! Be vigilant. They DO respond quite rapidly and are anxious to rid the town of these problems and keep it safe for all.