Think your outdoor holiday decorations are the brightest on the block? Let the battle for bragging rights begin! Share your holiday spirit with the Public Relations Commission:

1. Snap a photo
2. Send it to woholidaydec@hotmail.com
3. Check www.westorange.org daily to see your home featured on the site

Three lucky winners will receive gift certificates to WO-Town restaurants for a night on the town. Contest concludes on December 31st.

From patch.com:

As more people venture away from home this holiday season, West Orange Police Department reminds residents of actions to take to prevent burglaries:

Remember the three L’s of Crime Prevention: LIGHTS, LOCKS and the LAW. Light up your residence; Lock your doors at all times; and call the Law when you see something suspicious: West Orange Police Department (973) 325-4000 or 911 for emergencies. The most important thing you can do is call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And, remember, you always can remain a pair of anonymous eyes.

Read the full article here.

Please join us for a Valley Community Watch Holiday Celebration on Monday, December 20th at 7:30 in the Hazel Avenue School gym. Warm up with some coffee and hot chocolate and have a few cookies with your neighbors. We look forward to seeing you there!

Until December 23rd, you can donate new and unwrapped toys at the following locations throughout the West Orange:

Fire Station #1, 415 Valley Road
Fire Station #2, 86 Washington Street
Fire Station #3, Ridgeway Avenue
Fire Station #4, 280 Pleasant Valley Way
Watchung Heights Substation, 92 Washington St.

Image: Lou Angeli

Just a reminder that the final 2010 VCW public meeting will be:
Monday December 20, 2010, 7:00PM

More details to follow. Thank you for your support.

Suspicious Person/Distraction Burglaries

A Beverly Road resident recently reported individuals going door to door and asking residents if they could come inside their homes to check their windows. The suspects reported that they worked for a window company but could not remember the name of the company when asked by the resident.

Please remember to contact the police department immediately if this occurs to them. Soliciting door to door in West Orange is prohibited without a permit. There are a few exceptions to this ordinance. However, this also could be a prelude to a distraction burglary where suspects gain entry to the home under false pretenses. In a distraction burglary, one suspect usually will distract the homeowner with conversation while the other will rummage through the home and take valuables. The victim usually becomes aware of the crime after the suspect leave the residence.

Residence should contact the West Orange Police Department at 973-325-4000 or in emergencies, dial 911 regarding suspicious persons.

The West Orange Patch published an article about the November 16th meeting. The WOPD was on hand to provide news about recent burglaries as well simple safety tips to prevent burglaries.

Read the article by clicking this link.

Just a reminder that our next public meeting will be:

Monday, November 15, 2010, 7:00PM
Hazel Avenue School

The WO Police Department will provide an update regarding the recent home burglaries and other incidents in the Valley area.
Also, WO Tax Assessor will be on-hand to answer questions regarding the on-going revaluation process.

We hope to see you there. Thank you for your support.

The West Orange Police Department has informed us that a string of home burglaries have occurred in the vicinity of the South Orange/West Orange border. In some instances, access to the home was gained through an unlocked door while the residents were at home sleeping.

We are asking that ALL residents take the following precautions to prevent becoming the next victim.

1. Make sure all entrance doors to your home are locked at all times.
2. If you have an alarm system, turn it on, even if you leave the house for just a few minutes.
3. If you can, install motion detector lights on all home entrance.
4. Do not leave valuables close to a door or window where they can be seen clearly from outside.

The police department is encouraging all residents to continue reporting any suspicious activities in your area.

For emergencies call 911
For non-emergencies call WOPD at 973-325-4000

The Patch created an interactive map with the details of all the burglaries from Millburn to West Orange.
Read more in The Patch