The Ridgewood Police: PLEASE lock your homes and cars

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Over the last several weeks, there have been many cars which have been left unlocked and many of them have the key fob in them.  At times, the actors take belongings and money from cars, and other times, they steal the car. 

The Ridgewood Police Department is asking for help from the public to PLEASE lock your homes and cars and remove any valuables and keys or key fobs.  We do not want any police officers or civilians injured or killed in an attempt to catch the actors. The actors will move to other areas if they are unable to locate unlocked vehicles or find anything of value.

In addition, in about three weeks, daylight savings time will end, causing it to be dark by 5:00 p.m. or earlier.  This often results in home burglaries, which typically occur during the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., when it is dark and no one is home.  Please be aware that Public Safety is the Village of Ridgewood’s #1 priority, so 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. Routinely check that home security/safety systems are working properly.
3. Promptly clear property/driveway of newspapers.
4. Promptly empty mailbox, clear delivered packages and register for delivery notifications.
5. DO NOT post real-time information on Facebook/Instagram/social media including:
   1. 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!
   2. Real-time Information about work commute, work location, shopping, etc. 
6. CAUTION: do not accept Facebook/social media friend requests without confirming the authenticity of the individual making the request – LOOK, THINK & RESEARCH before accepting.
7. NOTE:  Many members of local Ridgewood Facebook groups are not from Ridgewood
8. 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
9. If there is a car theft or home burglary in your neighborhood, and you have video of the actors or events, please contact the Ridgewood Detective Bureau at 201-251-4536.