Read the comments below to appreciate that this is a significant problem. Internet photo
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
December 27, 2013. Ocean Grove: Yesterday we received an email from a neighbor on Mt. Hermon Way near Firemen’s Park. She said :
“A burglar has been breaking into houses around here.xxxxxx, on Christmas day, someone else, apparently, on Main Ave., Today, I heard second hand that xxxxxx had someone look in their living room window a few days ago. Someone’s on the prowl.” She suggested that I check out the situation.
I replied that we are not investigative reporters on Blogfinger, and those people need to report these events to the police. I did however put out a note of caution in our “Wassup” section, although I had no detailed information on the matters at hand. Later she emailed again to say that those people did report the events to the police.
Then today we heard from another neighbor, John Higley, who said, “Regarding prowlers, I was arriving home on Mt. Hermon Way Thursday night and passed a Neptune PD car heading west on Main Ave, with a white light array on top that could illuminate Metlife Stadium. As I parked and was opening the front door it drove down Mt Hermon with the light of a thousand suns filling the street. Not a bad deterrent. “
Then later today, I get a call from another neighbor, this time one on the south side of Main, across from the park. she tells me that there was a break-in at 108 Heck, where a burglar entered the basement. And then she tells me of another break-in near there on Main, and yet another on Broadway. Her comment was “There’s been a rash of burglaries.”
Evidently the police have been advised about all of these incidents. She wondered why they didn’t use the reverse 911 technique to alert everyone. She called Committeeman Randy Bishop who lives in the Grove. He said he hadn’t heard about it, but he would look into the matter.
I find the whole thing disconcerting and even bizarre. If there have been such episodes in a particular neighborhood, and if the police were notified, shouldn’t they have an officer come into the neighborhood, knocking on doors and alerting the folks who live there? Why didn’t that happen? And, for that matter, why hasn’t the entire town been notified of such a threat? This time of year we have many empty houses, and anything that can help prevent such crimes should be implemented. This includes all home owners lighting their properties while they are away.
And, if I may be mildly critical of my neighbors, if they were experiencing prowlers, shouldn’t they have sent emails and/or phone calls and/or knocks on the door to everyone within 2 blocks of their houses? I suggest that each neighborhood create an email/phone list to be shared with all neighbors. We need to do a better job of looking our for each other.
As far as Neighborhood Watch is concerned, that is a joke. Who’s watching? It should be abolished, because it is a sham. Even the NTPD Neighborhood Watch reports just petty crimes. It seems that those crime reports are censored to shield us from more serious occurrences.
Am I wrong? What do you think?
EDITOR’S NOTE: At 4:20 pm on Friday a reverse 911 call was placed to residents from the NTPD which said that “there have been several incidences of burglary and theft in the vicinity of Ocean Grove.” It was suggested that all residents lock doors and windows and to secure valuable items. The caller said that the police “strongly urge basic crime-prevention techniques and report all suspicious activity to the NYPD at 732 988 8000 or call 911 in an emergency situation. ” —PG
A neighbor on Mt. Hermon told us that he confronted a prowler in the alley next to his house a few days ago. The intruder said he was looking for a lost cat. The neighbor took a photo of the intruder which was shared withe the police.
The man then ran away. Evidently the police have been active in the Grove re: this matter. There also is a rumor that there have already been two arrests. —-PG
JW; Great comment. Accurate and well-taken.
Thank you OGJamie for adding helpful information to the break-in discussion, especially about the carrying of your ID.
Doubting Thomas and Ian: Clearly you are outraged over this recent crime wave, and so am I. Hey, I think it’s safe to say most everyone in the Grove is on edge . However. . .
Think you can ease up on the “tsk tsk” tone to my prior post, which simply stated that I was curious how Grovers feel about the possibility of being stopped and questioned by the police and the need to carry photo ID with us at all times. Somehow this got misinterpreted as me being more worried about the police than the criminals, which is not true.
Unfortunately, we probably should carry our ID with us even for a walk around the block. I’ll just add my ID to the “mug money” dollars I keep in my pocket as a precaution when taking evening walks in the Grove. And by the way, the mug money is no joke.
About three weeks ago, my elderly, next door, neighbor’s home was broken into. Whoever took the air conditioner out of the window got in that way. Police were called when it was discovered. Not sure if anything was taken.
This was her third break in over the last 10 years that I’ve known her. First time they got the jewelry, second time the cash. I’m scared for her and for myself because of whoever passed thru my back yard.
After she told us, I promptly emailed or texted my neighbors as a heads up. I did NOT realize until very recently (Blogfinger, Robo call, discussions on the street) that there has actually been a rash of robberies. I am disappointed that my township has not provided a heads-up sooner.
I did not have my ID on my person when the officer asked because I was checking my car right outside my house. (in my PJs and slippers – but was wearing a hoodie!) But he did let me go in the house and get it, waiting at my door but being polite and professional. I do generally bring my ID anywhere I go if I know I’m actually going to be away from my house. I even bring it to the beach when we walk there. You never know when you need it.
Flo Meier – When our house was broken into several years ago, the kid who did it took a beer from the fridge and turned on the TV in our guest bedroom. He was camping out, having cut school that day. (this was probably about 9-10am) His curiosity led him to the master bedroom, where he found (unexpectedly, I’m sure) my sleeping, pregnant wife. After she shook off her sleep, she asked what he was doing there. He thought for a moment, then shut the door and, I guess, left the house quickly. My wife quickly called 911 and the cops caught him a couple blocks away, walking back home, we assume. (with a very strange assortment of loot from our house in his backpack) So I guess using a broken into home as a hangout is part of the program.
JW. I’m a total liberal, but really? You are worried about having to carry your ID? You should absolutely not worry about police stopping you, questioning you, or asking for your ID. We know who we are dealing with when we see a uniformed local cop, but remember — they know ZERO about us. And with this strange plethora of stories, we need to hug to cops, give them coffee, and do anything more that the law permits.
At 4:00 a.m.,Saturday, December 14th, we received a phone call from our neighbor. Our rental property at 124 Main Avenue
and her house at 122 Main Avenue had both been broken into.
Our home had no tenants at the time and nothing was taken. However, our neighbor who is a single mom, was at home with
her son. Both were upstairs sleeping. The intruders entered her home through the back door which was locked, her dog started barking and ran out into the backyard at which time the intruders entered her home, grabbed her purse, and ran out through the side alley. They took what cash she had and threw the purse into the street.
In our rental, we noticed that the intruders must have been using our home as a “hide out” as all of the shutters were closed, except for one window on top to use to look out. Also, they must have tried to watch TV, but couldn’t figure out the remote. We had to call the cable company to reboot the system. I am assuming these intruders were on foot with no car for their get away…otherwise they would have taken the TV.
Our side door was damaged due to the intruders using either a screw driver or other tool to get in. We have since had the hardware store in town install dead bolt locks on all entrances to the house. FYI, we do keep lights on inside and out in the evenings. We are grateful that these intruders didn’t do more damage and trash our home.
Hope the Neptune Police catch these thugs soon.
JW It seems to me that you should be more worried about “the possibility” of a criminal entering your house than about being stopped by a NTPD officer. I have no problem whatsoever with being stopped and questioned.
The only caveat would be if the NTPD were stopping people without cause. Since we know that recently there have been potentially dangerous individuals prowling our neighborhoods, we ought to be a little more tolerant of police trying to protect us, especially at night.
For those who need the link to the emergency notification system, here it is:
https://shoreareaens.onthealert.com/
I’ve been in Florida the past week, so am just catching up on the break-in reports. A few nights before heading south, I saw a police officer on the south side stop a guy on a bike. Heard the officer ask him where he was headed, where he lived, and for his ID. Don’t know who the guy was or the outcome because I immediately went inside my house.
While I’m happy that the NTPD is on the lookout, OGJamie’s experience has raised an issue for me, and I’m curious how Grovers feel about the possibility of being stopped and questioned by the police. Do we need to carry our photo ID with us at all times?
On Sunday evening around 7 pm I heard the neighbors behind us hollering at someone. Minutes later one of the neighbors came around to our front door to tell us that they caught a man peering through our family room window! At the time I had been sitting next to the window watching TV but I wasn’t aware of him! He ran off and they called the police with a description of a skinny man wearing a knitted cap. Moments later we saw a police car slowly driving by. This goes to show us that its important for neighbors to speak up if they see anything unusual. Unfortunately, on Christmas evening our next door neighbor’s house was broken into!
It would be really helpful if folks had lighting on the sides of their houses so when police or OGCP are patrolling, it’s easier to see whether anybody’s on the side of your home. I would recommend a motion activated light for the backyards.
Homeowner: The alert went out today so too late for you, unfortunately. Did you get it? I get it on my home phone, cell phone and via email. I don’t need all three because I’m here year-round but for those who aren’t,make sure they have all your contact numbers/email addresses. I remember entering them online but don’t remember the URL. Does anybody have the link for those who may need it?
I am emailing regarding your posting about prowlers. I live on Main Ave., and last night my home was broken into.
The intruder came in through the basement at approximately 6pm. We have an alarm and lights on a timer. It is my understanding that the police have seen a rash of break-ins around the same time with entry through the basement into the house.
The alarm kept them from ransacking the home and scared them off. My amazing neighbors went over and stayed on the phone with me as police investigated. I do believe that an alert needs to go out to the neighborhood as this thief is a professional and has not been caught.
We also received several calls from neighbors. Also thankful to an alarm company and contractor who secured the house today. Clearly this is a huge violation to us and hope your blog helps others to be aware.
Was out on my porch last night at around 10pm and decided to check to make sure my car door was locked when a cruiser came by and the officer asked for ID. I walked up to my porch to get it from inside and he said, “Oh, do you live here?” Went inside to get my license, he was right at my door waiting for me. He quickly checked my ID then asked if I saw anybody running by. Told him no – he proceeded around the block flashing that crazy bright light in neighboring yards. Seconds later, another cruiser pulled up to my house and asked me if I saw anybody running by. Told him one of his fellow officers just asked me the same question. So, NTPD is apparently on it, and with numbers. Don’t want to raise too many alarms and make everybody nervous – most of these crimes are crimes of opportunity – unlocked doors, windows, sheds, cars, valuable stuff left on porches, etc. The advice they gave in the reverse 911 is correct – following simple safety procedures will usually prevent most of these crimes. Me, I always make sure everything is locked, turn the alarm on at night, and rely on the very, very angry barks of my dog.
And this evening (Friday) Neptune Township broadcast a robo telephone call warning of the situation.
Sherry Sotnikoff, thank you and OGCP for your upping your efforts. Shame on NTPD for not keeping OGCP in the loop.
Paul, OGCP is adding extra shifts to the existing two shifts a night which are 9-11pm and 11-1am. Our members have happily offered to do this and we hope it serves as a deterrent.
(As an aside, we do not receive any information from the NTPD either.)
Sherry Sotnikoff
Secretary, OGCP
Yes there was an intruder at 106 main ave across from the park. The alarm scared them.