Basking Ridge Home Burglarized, Homeowners Encouraged to Be 'Hard Targets'

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A home on Madisonville Road in Basking Ridge was reportedly burglarized on Jan. 23 and police are asking for the public's help.

The home was burglarized sometime between noon and 4:15 p.m., police reported.

If you have any information or noticed any suspicious activity within the area contact Det William Seiple at 908-766-1122 ext 613, police ask.

In light of recent events, the Bernards Township Police is encouraging residents to become "hard targets" for burglars.

The police offered some simple steps which can often discourage would be burglars from targeting a home.

The burglary basics:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
• Lock all doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed, even if for a short time.Leave lights on when you go out.
• If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers.
• Consider leaving a television on.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, packages, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange to hold your mail or have a friend or neighbor help.
• Don’t leave garbage /recycling containers out at the end of your driveway.
• Consider installing exterior lighting with motion detectors.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
• Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

If your home is broken into:

• Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
• Use a neighbor's phone or cell phone to call police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have arrived.
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.

Other precautions you should take:

• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places — burglars know where to look for hidden keys. The same goes for safes. Hide them in odd places where they will not be found-other than the master bedroom closet.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase, original value, serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters.
• Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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