THE VALUE OF A NOSEY NEIGHBOR

“The best friend a resident can have”

 
It’s 2 O’clock in the afternoon and you’re home from work early relaxing on the couch, suddenly you see someone walking around the outside of your next door neighbors home, you watch curiously, the person is someone you’re not familiar with. Hmm, perhaps he’s the meter reader, maybe, but why wasn’t your house checked? Maybe he’s delivering a package, could be….but maybe he isn’t!

You know your neighbor well, this isn’t his son or any friend you recognize, you ask yourself “maybe I should call the police?” then you think “no, they’ll think I’m a nuisance, crying wolf” Well we can’t ask any stronger MAKE THE CALL.

MAKE THE CALL each and every time something arouses your suspicion. The Rahway Police Department is here to serve you and all of your neighbors. We cannot stress enough the importance of early detection when it comes to crimes like burglary or theft. Even with motorized patrols, the odds of being able to spot a criminal in the actual act of breaking into a home are rare. Sure, heavy patrols can deter someone from committing a crime in the first place and we are often successful in apprehending someone after the fact. Often diligent investigative work, tips and contact with the suspect shortly after a crime can lead to an arrest. But NOTHING works as well as early information.

As responding police, we are trained to arrive, assess and decide which is a real crime or incident and which isn’t. Maybe the person you saw does have a legitimate reason for walking around the perimeter of your neighbors’ home. If they do, being checked by the police is easily explained to them and rarely causes resentment. If they’re not there with good intent, it can and has stopped a crime and better yet, led to the arrest of criminals bent on entering a home.

Perhaps the best advice is this, CALL and don’t delay calling. We are ready and trained to take action. NEVER take action yourself, it can be dangerous. Timely notification is the key. Remember this advice: If it looks or sounds suspicious, it probably is. Providing us with a good description of the person(s), direction of travel, vehicle information and any other details you can, will help us tremendously. You can even do so anonymously if you feel awkward, we encourage providing your name in case of future or follow up contact, but we will never turn away your call in either case.

Rahway Police Department (732) 827-2200 Rahway Police Tips Line (732) 388-1553

Detective William Eicholz Neighborhood watch coordinator (732) 827-2079

PRESS RELEASE:

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Photo caption: Rahway Police Auxiliary officers Dion Smith, Aux Officer Ricky Calderon and Rahway Police Detective William Eicholz are pictured with children who received toys during the 1st annual Rahway Police Auxiliary toys for kids program.

Article:

This holiday season the Rahway Police Auxiliary held its 1st toy drive for kids on December 23rd. This toy for kids program made 20 children from the City of Rahway very happy this holiday season who may have gone this holiday season without a special gift from Santa Claus. This program was a great success with the assistance of SDI Technologies. The Rahway Police Auxiliary recognizes Officer Ricky Calderon for making this event a great success.