According to the annual Unified Crime Report, the crime rate is down 4.4 percent from the previous year.
The crime rate within Moorestown fell 4.4 percent last year. Although instances of criminal activity have decreased within town, according to the Unified Crime Report, the Moorestown Police Department has no plans to reduce its dedicated and comprehensive law enforcement efforts.
Published by the state Department of Law and Public Safety each year, the Unified Crime Report compiles and lists official data on reported crime from all municipalities. Using this information, police departments are able to analyze and assess how their efforts are meeting the needs of the town they serve annually.
“[The department] doesn’t like to read too much into yearly changes of the Unified Crime Report, while a lower crime rate is welcomed,” Chief Lee R. Lieber said. “We like to look at long-term trends, as many crimes in the township occur cyclically.”
One particular trend that caught the department’s attention in 2015 was burglaries, including forcible entry (32), unlawful entry (21) and attempted forcible entry (three). With 56 total offenses, the department increased its anti-burglary efforts and urged residents to consider instituting a number of burglary prevention tips.
Seeing as reported burglaries decreased by 14.3 percent from 2015 to 2016, these tactics may very well be working to effectively reduce this category of crime within the community. In addition to the efforts of residents, officers have also upped their anti-burglary patrolling.
“Our officers are out daily, aggressively patrolling the township as a whole, as evidenced by the recent arrest of a serial car burglar in progress,” Lieber said. “Critical to successful patrolling is our detectives regularly collaborating with their colleagues locally and in surrounding counties/states to develop suspects/vehicles/trends that patrols should be looking for crimes ranging from robberies, burglaries and shopliftings at the mall.”
In addition to reduced burglaries, the township also saw a decreased number of rape, robbery, assault and simple assault. While there was one more instance of larceny in 2016 than in the previous year, and two additional cases of motor vehicle theft, these categories have not increased substantially and should not warrant additional concern among residents, Lieber said, especially as the Moorestown Police Department constantly strives to better its services.
“We intend to move forward into 2017 continuing to provide quality police services, including the prevention of crime and apprehension of those committing crimes, making Moorestown safe for our residents,” Lieber said. “As always, we count on our residents to be another set of eyes to prevent crime.”
Lieber relayed that residents who witness any suspicious activity should proceed to promptly report this information by calling (856) 234–8300. Residents can also call the department’s Tip Line at (856) 914–3092.
For more information on, or to view the UCR, visit http://www.njsp.org/ucr/pdf/current/20170120_crimetrend.pdf.
Police burglary prevention tips:
• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
• Push-button locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
• Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
