• West Orange Police have released surveillance video of a man breaking into a business on Main Street – this information was carried by our local newspapers and TV news stations late last week. Read the WOPD Press Release
• Video surveillance cameras will soon be installed in targeted areas throughout the Township. Read the Mayor’s Press Release

We were advised by the WO Police Department about two home burglaries in the Valley:

• There was an attempted Burglary at 25 Hazel Avenue on April 30 at 9:35am. Two arrests were made: One 18 year old male and one juvenile.
• Another burglary occurred at 12 Oxford Terrace on April 30 between 9am and 12:55pm. The point of entry was a broken pane of glass on the front door. The door was unlocked through the broken pane and entry gained. Jewelry and possibly baseball cards were taken from the house. No arrest has been made and no further information is available at this time.

This information was provided by Sergeant John Morella, Community Services Unit Supervisor, WO Police Department. If you have additional information or questions, he can be reached at: (973) 325-4038

The West Orange Police Department has been telling us for a long time: Lock your cars and don’t leave anything visible inside the car. According to a recent Patch article, vehicle break-ins are on the rise throughout Essex County. Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15, there were 26 vehicle break-ins in West Orange (28 in Millburn and 24 in Montclair). According to WOPD Chief Abbott, 65 percent of car break-ins are from unlocked cars.

We were informed by the West Orange Police Department that a home on Mitchell Street was broken into on Thursday. We are very happy to report that an arrest has already been made! The police caught the suspects with stolen property, and there is enough evidence to connect them to other break-ins on Rollinson and Northfield.
 
We also want to make you aware of another incident that occurred recently in our neighborhood. On Thursday night, July 21st, police arrested 5 teenagers after they allegedly were caught with marijuana on Hazel Elementary School’s playground. Two 16-year-old girls from West Orange, two 16-year-old boys from East Orange and one 16-year-old boy from Orange were arrested without incident shortly before 8 p.m. Their names were not released because they are minors. Read the article on West Orange Patch:
 

http://westorange.patch.com/articles/police-arrest-five-juveniles-after-finding-possible-drug-paraphernalia-at-school, 

We were advised by the WO police department that a few home burglaries occurred this past week, in the Valley area. One was on Rose Terrace and another on Tompkins Street. Both happened during the day.

The police department is increasing its patrols in the area, but they want to remind everyone to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities.

Also, we received reports of car burglaries in the upper Gregory area on Burnett Terrace and Collamore Terrace. In both instances, the cars had been left unlocked.

Please remember to always lock your car and call the police department if you suspect something is not right. The main number is 973-325-4000. For emergencies call 911.

Remember: We are the eyes of our neighborhood. A community that stays vigilant and alert is the best deterrent against crime.

patch.com has an interactive map of all burglaries/thefts in West Orange since April here.

Please join us for the next Valley Community Watch Public Meeting
April 25, 2011 7:00 pm
Hazel Avenue School gym

Mayor Robert Parisi and a member of the West Orange Police Department will join us to answer our questions.

Due to the weather forecast, this evening’s Community Meeting at Gregory School with Mayor Parisi is canceled. It has been tentatively rescheduled for next Tuesday, February 8. We will send an additional update when the exact date and time have been confirmed. Please note the new day and time below. Thank you for your understanding.

The meeting has been rescheduled for:
Monday February 7, 2011
7:00PM
Gregory Elementary School, 301 Gregory Avenue

Read the original notice

This is an update to the Jan 21 story, “WOPD Seeks Public Help in Catching Robbery Suspects”

According to the West Orange Patch, the WOPD have arrested James Battle, 19, of West Orange, and Vincent Augustus Rochester, 19, of West Orange in connection with two Jan. 11 armed robberies on Cherry Street as well as an armed robbery Jan. 14 on Samuel Street. They are charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and receiving stolen property. According to the police, the two had a loaded handgun when arrested. The article states, “They were apprehended with the help of the public, according to Jessica Glicker, the township’s public information officer.” Both Battle and Rochester are in Essex County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail each.

Read the complete story at West Orange Patch

Mayor Robert Parisi and the West Orange Police Department invite you to a community meeting to discuss the recent increase in criminal activities in the Valley and Gregory sections of the township.

The meeting is scheduled for:
Tuesday February 1, 2011
7:00PM
Gregory Elementary School, 301 Gregory Avenue

We encourage all residents to participate and provide your input.