By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
The irony of the headline quote could actually be hilarious except for the fact that our crime wave is a serious matter. We have been covering this story since postings on Jan 12 and 13 when we received comments from 26 Ocean Grovers reporting crimes and expressing anger and fear. Yet none of our elected officials responded on Blogfinger to our readers. This web site offers a public forum, but the Township and the Police Commissioner will not participate in our discussions. However, they will say things in an article in today’s Coaster,* because no one can answer them back at that venue.
One of our citizens made a formal request for crime stats 12 days ago when he contacted Mr. Michael Bascom, the Neptune Township Commissioner of Police, who promised to get back to him. That has yet to occur.
Today, in the Coaster, we find quotes from those parties and others who would rather talk to a reporter than to the people. Most of their remarks sound like an attempt to blame Ocean Grovers for the failure to solve this crime wave.
Mr. Bascom said (from the Coaster) …”residents should be mindful not to provide criminals with opportunities to commit crimes.”
He said, “These are crimes of opportunity with many residences having open windows, unlocked doors, and no lights on. If people just take simple protective measures and report suspicious activities it could make a big dent and possibly help us catch the perpetrators. When they enter a house it is sometimes as easy as opening a door and walking in.”
Anne Horan of the OGHOA said “she would like to see the Neighborhood Watches get into action, especially in the winter when the population in Ocean Grove drops, and that she would like residents to be more wary of what is going on around them. People need to make sure they keep their lights on and keep an eye out for what’s going on around them.”
This is pathetic. The OGHOA has done absolutely nothing about this problem and now the President is asking for help from Neighborhood Watch, another feeble and nearly invisible OG crime-fighting organization. Maybe the N. Watchers should become a subcommittee of the OGHOA.
In addition, why didn’t any of these officials say that many of the burglarized homes were locked and that sometimes people were at home when the break-ins occurred?
Randy Bishop, another Committeeman who has been silent, did make a comment to the Coaster. He said “Residents should heed the warning of police and secure their properties.” Is this the most enthusiasm he can muster up on behalf of the citizens ?
Police Chief Hunt said that he has a greater police presence in the Grove. He stated that he is using marked and unmarked vehicles as well as undercover police. You can read his and others’ full comments via the Coaster link below.*