Clinton Township Newsletter

CLINTON TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL NEWS www.township.clinton.nj.us/ continued HO M E 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 is important to remember that with three major highways intersecting in the Township (Routes 22, 31 and 78), it is 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 and insist that your children do the same, especially if they are home alone after school. • Keep good relationships with your neighbors. 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 the unseen ones 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 questions as: feigning illness and asking for a drink of water, pretending to have a package for a neighbor, ask for paper to leave a note for a neighbor, ask 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. P EDDLERS / SOLICITORS ORDINANCE As summer draws near, many residents will experience individual contractors or sales persons going 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, Donna Burham, at 908.735.8800 x 204. B e BEAR A w a r e ! ! ! Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell urges residents of North Jersey to bear-proof the areas around their residences to prevent bear intrusions. As the weather continues to warm, black bears become more active searching for food and mates. "Knowing how to prevent bears from coming close to your home is the first step toward safety," said Campbell. "One of the best ways to discourage nuisance bears is by storing garbage properly. Bears come out of their dens in spring and early summer so precautionary measures must be taken now." NEVER FEED A BLACK BEAR! It's dangerous and against the law. Violators could face 1 4 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com a penalty of up to a $1,000 for each offense. Remember that reducing problems with bears is a community effort. Invest in bear-proof garbage containers. Store all garbage in airtight containers with tight fitting lids in a secure area such as a basement, the inside wall of a garage, or a shed. Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant at least once a week to eliminate odors. Draping bleach-soaked cloth over containers helps to eliminate odors. Put garbage out on collection day, not the evening before. Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in compost piles. J u l y 2 0 1 3 Feed birds from December 1 to April 1, when bears are least active. Suspend birdfeeders at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily. Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only. Immediately remove all food scraps and bowls after feeding. Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue can attract bears. Report bear damage or nuisance behavior to our local police or to the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife at 908.735.8793. To learn more about New Jersey's black bears, please visit the Division of Fish and Wildlife's website at www.njfishandwildlife.com.

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