Posted by : Matthew Nazzaro  On June 13th, 2023 2:22 pm

      

As previously reported, this past weekend the Cranford Police Department responded to three separate incidents of attempted motor vehicle thefts.  In two of the incidents, the vehicle associated with the suspects was a Kia Forte.  In New Jersey, there has been a 121% increase to the theft of Kia’s and Hyundai’s.  This theft trend is associated with the ease of use to steal these particular vehicles, which suspects will often use to commit additional crimes.

The theft of vehicles is not only a loss of personal property but also a violation of our community’s security and well-being. Along with collaborating with our local, county, and State law enforcement partners, we have intensified patrols and implemented additional security measures throughout the community.

In light of these events, we would like to offer some practical steps we as a community can minimize the risk of vehicle thefts:

• Activate any alarm system that is equipped with your vehicle. Consider installing a steering wheel lock, motion sensor light near driveway, and additional tracking device such as placing an Apple AirTag in the trunk of your vehicle.
• Communicate with your neighbors about security concerns and reach out directly to the Cranford Police Department.  Not everything you read on social media is true, and the Cranford Police Department is dedicated to keeping our community informed.  Please download our official Cranford Police Department App on Apple or Android.
• In the event of a vehicle theft, have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), license plate number, and any distinguishing characteristics readily available which will assist law enforcement in its investigation.
• Engage with the Cranford Police Department.  The Cranford Police Department has a full-time Community Policing Officer who is willing to present to specific groups on not only motor vehicle theft trends, but also other topics affecting our community.  Please reach out to our Community Policing Unit at 908-272-8989 or police@cranfordnj.org.

Let us leverage our collective strength to ensure the security of our neighborhoods and protect one another from such unfortunate circumstances.