Clinton Township Newsletter

CLINTON TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL NEWS www.township.clinton.nj.us/ Home Security Residents are encouraged to be vigilant about locking their homes, not just when away on vacation, but also while at work during the day. Although many of us live in quiet neighborhoods, it's important to remember that with three major highways intersecting in the Township (Routes 22, 31 and 78), it's easy for dishonest persons to break into a home, steal what can be taken quickly and escape via one of these routes. Some good rules to remember: • Always lock your home, even if leaving for a very short time. • Insist your children do the same, especially if they are home alone after school. • Keep a good relationship with your neighbors, and ask them to watch for any suspicious activity. • If you return home, and feel that something just "isn't quite right," leave quickly and call 911 from a neighbor's home. • Don't make it obvious that you are away for an extended time, (take care of your mail, newspapers, etc.) • Don't leave an outgoing message on your answering machine, stating you are out of town. Summer is also the season for "gypsy burglars" The Gypsy suspects go on the road in teams driving privately owned or rental vehicles. The vehicles frequently display IL, NY, NJ, PA, or VA license plates. The burglary teams are normally two to four people and can vary in male/female makeup. The females normally will go on foot in the area and the driver will park away from the area or cruise. The females will walk through the area looking for targets of opportunity. If a victim is seen working in the yard, one suspect will distract the homeowner with any number of questions while their unseen partner(s) enter the home. If the victim is inside the suspect will knock on the door and when contact is made the suspect will distract the victim with such ploys as: feigning illness and asking for a drink of water, pretending to have a package for a neighbor, asking for paper to leave a note for a neighbor, asking if the house is for sale, looking for a lost cat or dog. Once the homeowner is distracted, the unseen suspects go through the house looking for currency, jewelry and silver. Imposter Burglars: These suspects pose as legitimate workers and approach elderly homeowners at their residences with the intent of gaining entry under a seemingly legitimate ruse. The real purpose is to divert the homeowner's attention while accomplices search for currency and jewelry. Some of the more frequently used ploys by the suspects are claims to be from the electric company, water department, cable company, tree trimming company, and roofing and paving companies. While one of the suspects diverts the homeowner's attention the other unseen suspects enter the home. Many times the distracting suspect may be seen speaking into a hand held radio or cell phone. Residents are urged to be wary of any solicitations for home repairs by someone whom you have not called to do the home repairs yourself. Contact the Police Department at 735.6000 with questions or for more information. Peddlers/Solicitors Ordinance As summer draws near, many residents will experience individual contractors or sales persons doing door to door. The Mayor and Council have adopted an ordinance governing peddling and soliciting. This ordinance requires peddlers, solicitors and canvassers to obtain a license before going door-to-door in the Township. Non-profit organizations are exempt from the licensing requirement; however, members of these organizations must carry proper identification. In order to protect the privacy of our residents, the Township has created a "Do Not Solicit" registry. A form to join this registry is available in the office of the Township Clerk, and can be downloaded from the Township website. By participating in the registry, residents make an affirmative decision not to receive commercial peddler's, solicitors, or canvassers at the property located within the Township. A list of those residents will be provided to each peddler, canvasser or solicitor. Additionally, residents can post a "No Solicitation" sign on their property. A sign of this nature shall be applicable to all peddlers, solicitors and canvassers. Questions regarding the ordinance or the registry may be referred to the Township Clerk at 908.735.8800, ext 204. C l i n t o n T o w n s h i p E x pa n d s R e c y c l i n g ! The Township's DPW yard will begin to accept electronics and scrap metal in May, on the second and fourth Saturdays when the yard is normally open for brush drop-off. Acceptable electronics are: computer CPU's, desktop and laptop computers, CRT or flat screen monitors or TVs, cell phones, telecom equipment or handsets, keyboards, mice, scanners, printers, copiers, faxes, networking equipment, cables, wiring adapters, radios, home stereos, entertainment systems, speakers, DVD players, VHS video 4 ClintonTwpNewsletter.com records, gaming units or cameras, Christmas string lights. Basically, anything with a plug can be considered electronics. for these items can be purchased at the Clerk's Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. All other items are free to drop off. Acceptable metal and appliances include: metal sheets and piping, aluminum siding, metal swing sets, metal ladders, air conditioners*, refrigerators,*, dehumidifiers,* dishwashers and ovens, metal patio furniture, metal car parts, bikes and tools. UNACCEPTABLE items include: altered electronics, hazardous or liquid waste, garbage, light bulbs, batteries, sealed units, closed tanks or drums, radioactive items or explosives or solid waste. Cards for the transfer station on Petticoat Lane are still available at the Clerk's office during the hours listed above. Items above marked with an asterisk (*) containing Freon or coolant will have a cost of $15.00. A ticket M a y 2 0 1 3

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