'Tis the season for criminal activity
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

UPPER FREEHOLD — In light of recent burglaries in the area, Sgt. Jeff Poedubicky, an 11-year veteran of the New Jersey State Police, gave a presentation at the Dec. 18 Township Committee meeting on how residents can protect themselves against crime.

A number of car break-ins have been reported locally, and Poedubicky said these are often crimes of opportunity. He said there are people coming through neighborhoods at night and checking door handles, so the most important thing for residents to do is to lock their vehicles. Garage door openers should not be left in cars, and any doors between garages and homes should be locked, he said.

"It doesn't seem to be one particular group — it's random," he said.

Poedubicky said that residents should be alert, tuned in to their surroundings, and observant of unfamiliar persons and vehicles. He said residents should write down the license plate numbers of suspicious vehicles and notify police of suspicious activity.

"Don't give a criminal opportunity. Don't let anyone into your home you don't know," he said.

Any utility personnel should be able to provide credentials and identification if they come to the house, he said.

Residents should lock exterior house doors with a dead-bolt lock, and have a dowel in the track or a lock bar on sliding glass doors, he said. Windows should also be secured with good locks, and residents should check to make sure their windows are locked. He also suggested not leaving keys in obvious places such as under doormats.

Poedubicky advised homeowners to do a home inventory for a record of their belongings in case of a burglary. When going on vacation, residents should arrange for neighbors to park their cars in vacant driveways, and should put mail and newspaper deliveries on hold, he said

For emergencies, such as long-term loss of power, every household should have a disaster supply kit on hand, he recommended. Residents should also stock one gallon of water for each person per day, planning for at least three days, as well as a three-day supply of non-perishable food items, according to Poedubicky. Other supplies he recommended having include a non-electric can opener, personal hygiene items, radio, flashlight and extra batteries, as well as any special items children or the elderly may need.

Identity theft is a growing problem, and Poedubicky admitted he had been a victim when his credit card number was stolen. He said criminals can get information from a variety of different sources. He said residents should not give out information such as date of birth, social security number, driver's license number and mother's maiden name. Mail should be removed from the mailbox as soon as possible. Residents were also warned against placing mail with personal information on it into home mailboxes for a carrier to pick up, he said. Any papers containing personal identification information should be shredded, he said.

Resident David Perlman cited helicopters frequently flying around, and wanted to know what was going on. Poedubicky said that during an investigation the State Police but need to better communication with the municipality.

Former Mayor William Miscoski said his business, the Cream Ridge Golf Club, was burglarized and thieves made off with $24,000. He also said that he found out the nearby Hanover Golf Course had been robbed a week before his establishment was burglarized.

"Had I known, I would have been more careful. If there is more information about what is going on, it would be helpful," he said.