Police suggest precautions in wake of home burglaries

MARLBORO - Police have issued a warning to residents to be extra cautious this holiday season in securing their homes. A press release from the Marlboro Police Department states that detectives have been investigating a string of residential burglaries.

Since August, a total of 19 burglaries that have occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between dusk and 9 p.m. have been investigated by police. Items such as jewelry, cash and other small valuables have been taken from homes.

Marlboro police Detective Erik Nolte said he could not reveal much information because the investigation is ongoing, but he told the News Transcript the police department is working on several leads and believe the burglaries are related.

Police are asking residents to make certain all of their doors and windows are locked, to cut back all shrubbery that blocks windows and doors, to use motion sensor outdoor lighting, to make certain home alarms are working properly and activated when residents are not at home, and to keep all valuables secure in a safe or safety deposit box.

Residents are being asked to report all suspicious vehicles or unfamiliar vehicles and/or people that may be seen in the neighborhood to police.

Residents may request to have a home security survey completed for their home. Offered by the Marlboro Police Department's Community Services Unit, a home security survey is a program in which a community service officer visits a resident's home to review security procedures, Marlboro police Lt. Douglas Van Note explained.

"It offers recommendations to make your home safer and more secure," Van Note said.

The survey usually lasts about an hour while the officer goes through the home making suggestions about items such as updated locks, outdoor lighting and cutting back shrubbery that would hide an intruder from view from the street.

To schedule a home security survey call the Community Services Unit at (732) 617-0186.

Anyone with information about the recent string of burglaries is asked to contact the Marlboro police Detective Bureau at (732) 536-0100 or the police department tip line available 24 hours a day at 888- 536-1010.

- Rebecca Morton