By Stephen Appezzato
HAZLET – Operation Safe Neighborhoods is a “go” in Hazlet, offering residents a way to bolster home security. Similar programs already exist in Rumson and Fair Haven.
Since 2021, more than 300 auto thefts have occurred in Monmouth County. In 2023, the rate of car thefts decreased from previous years but, according to county officials and Hazlet Police Chief Ted Wittke, the brazenness of those crimes has increased. While area residents have listened to officials’ warnings about locking car doors and storing keys inside, “criminals have decided to adapt,” according to Wittke. “They’ve decided they’re going to now break into houses in order to look for the keys.”
Law enforcement officials note that, in some instances, intruders have even broken into homes during the day while residents are home to look for car keys.
The home security assessment, a preventative measure to combat break-ins, teaches residents how to best protect their homes from intruders. It is a confidential home survey from a specially trained police officer, followed by recommendations on how to improve the security of the property. Residents can request a survey of their home for free. Currently, 17 Hazlet officers are trained to perform these surveys.
“Three officers, myself and two other officers in the department, are trained in security assessments and crime prevention through the American Crime Prevention Institute,” said Wittke.
“We use the crime prevention principles that we learned from that program to train our officers.”
Each survey evaluates a comprehensive roster of factors. Even property features such as landscaping can contribute to household security. A demonstration of an evaluation was held at a Hazlet home with the formal launch of the program.
In the weeks leading up to the program opening, Hazlet officers performed training assessments, familiarizing themselves with the survey through real-world application. During this time, officers visited 350 homes. “We plan on, by year’s end, doing 1,500 out of 7,000 households. It’s a lot of work, but we’re up for the challenge,” Wittke said.
County Sheriff Shaun Golden commended the Hazlet Police Department for its program, explaining how home security is the next step following car security. “I think our neighbors around the county and our residents have heeded the warnings about locking the doors, locking the keys inside the house. Let’s take that next step and secure our houses and secure our communities,” he said.
County prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago attended the launch as well. Santiago also expressed support for the recent passage of four state laws that increase penalties for pattern car thieves. One law rolls back bail reform measures for criminals who conduct more than one auto theft within 90 days, addressing the “ ‘catch-and-release’ policies that have enabled car theft rings to flourish,” according to Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-13), a Monmouth County representative who sponsored the bill.
Michael Kelly, Oceanport police chief and president of the Monmouth County Chief’s Association, was also in attendance. “This is good. At least here, and hopefully down the road (in) other towns like Hazlet, residents will have all the information handy,” he said.
Fair Haven police also offer a home security assessment program to residents. In Rumson, the service has been available for over 15 years, according to Chief Jeffrey Nixon, who assumed the role of chief July 11. The purpose of the survey is “to assess the security measures and vulnerabilities” of a home, he said. “We help to identify and make suggestions for areas of improvement. That’s our goal,” Nixon added.
Residents of Hazlet, Fair Haven and Rumson can request a home security survey on their town’s police department website.
The article originally appeared in the July 20 – 26, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
