Highlights From East Brunswick Police Public Meeting On Burglaries

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – The East Brunswick Police Department recently held a public meeting to address the growing number of residential burglaries in the Township.

The meeting, held on Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving, saw Police Chief Frank LoSacco and officers from the department in attendance.

From Sept. 1 to Nov. 21, 23 burglaries and one attempted burglary were reported in the Township and 42 percent of them occurred in the Lawrence Brook section, according to police statistics.

In 75 percent of these burglaries, the rear of the structure was used to gain entry to homes. And only one of the burglarized houses had an alarm system, LoSacco said during the presentation.

Around 75 percent of burglaries happened during the daytime between Monday to Friday. At any time, there was no threat or use of force, police said. There was one incident when the resident was home and burglary was unsuccessful.

The police department has a three-tiered response to burglaries – enforcement, investigation and education. LoSacco said the department is making “fluid and dynamic adjustments” to its efforts in curbing burglaries. Most of the time, officers are out in the community, patrolling the streets in plain clothes, including the Police Chief himself.

Every case is “vigorously investigated,” and the department collects evidence and shares intelligence with partner agencies.

He said the public also suffers by the “CSI effect” where residents expected crimes to be solved in an hour.

LoSacco advised the community to always call the police if there has been a burglary or to report unusual activity. “If you don’t call us, we don’t know what’s going on,” LoSacco said.

The police department would continue to educate the public on how to safeguard their home and properties. “You see us constantly push out information. Those tips, are not us passing the buck to you. We’re doing our job, we need help,” LoSacco said.

The police chief stressed on “awareness” for crime prevention. “If you maintain the attitude of it’s not going to happen to me, it’s making you complacent and more vulnerable,” LoSacco said.

Residents were strongly advised not to allow an unfamiliar person into their home. Solicitors are required to wear and show their permit when knocking on doors. These permits are issued by the Township Municipal Clerk. Political and religious solicitors do not require permits and they do not enter homes.

Although the police department supports neighborhood watch groups, LoSacco warned residents against becoming vigilantes. “Don’t go out there and be a superhero. Please,” he said.

LoSacco also addressed questions on residents owing weapons to protect against robberies. “I don’t want a vigilante, where someone is arming themselves illegally and doing something on the outside chance. That’s why there’s cops. There’s a lot of difference between what we can do as police versus what everybody else can,” the Police Chief said. “We know how to deescalate.”

Residents who are victims of burglaries should immediately call the police. They should not enter the home or touch anything. Take a quick inventory when the police arrives and try and get access to video surveillance.

Visit the police department’s community policing section and if you would like, schedule a free security inspection of your home or business.

When on a 911 call, stay on the phone and offer a complete description, do not hang up too soon, LoSacco advised.

The public meeting lasted over an hour. The Mayor and Council members were also present.

You can watch the complete public meeting here.

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