The holiday season has begun, and this means an increase in home burglaries, porch pirates, and car thefts

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The holiday season has begun, and this means an increase in home burglaries, porch pirates, and car thefts.  Although these typically occur during the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., when it is dark and no one is home, porch pirates (who steal packages from residents’ doorsteps) have been known to strike during the daytime hours as well.  

Please be aware that Public Safety is the Village of Ridgewood’s #1 priority, and our Police Department is giving their full attention to uncover every detail and piece of information, so that they can identify those involved in the burglaries.  In addition, there are extra Police patrols on the streets.  If you are aware of a burglary which has occurred near your home, and have home security cameras or a Ring doorbell camera, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department, at 201-652-3900, and let them know.  The videos obtained from these cameras will assist the Ridgewood Police Department in their investigation.

Here are some helpful tips to be used to protect your home and vehicles from burglaries:

1. Lock doors and windows (house and cars).  Remove your fobs from your cars and bring them into your house.
2. Do not leave packages or valuables in your car, which may entice burglars to break into your vehicle.
3. Routinely check that home security/safety systems are working properly.
4. Get alerts about packages and mail being delivered to your home, so that you can bring them inside your house as soon as possible, after they are delivered.  The United States Postal Service has a program, Informed Delivery, which alerts you once a day, through email or text alerts to your computer or phone, about the mail/packages you are scheduled to receive in that day’s mail.  Learn more by going to:  informeddelivery.USPS.com. 
5. Promptly clear property/driveway of newspapers.
6. Promptly empty mailbox and clear delivered packages from your doorsteps.
7. DO NOT post real-time information on Facebook/Instagram/social media including:
   • Real-time photos and/or livestream from vacation, parties, concerts, theater, sports events, dining out and food images, etc. DOING SO PUBLICLY BROADCASTS THAT YOU’RE NOT HOME!
   • Real-time Information about work commute, work location, shopping, etc. 
8. CAUTION: do not accept Facebook/social media friend requests without confirming the authenticity of the individual making the request – LOOK, THINK & RESEARCH before accepting.
9. NOTE:  Many members of local Ridgewood Facebook groups are not from Ridgewood
10. NEVER HESITATE: IMMEDIATELY report suspicious vehicles, persons, and activity to the RIDGEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT – remember for an emergency dial 911 and always have the RPD non-emergency number handy 201-652-3900