Latest Report from Holmdel Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Several times a year, the Holmdel Police Department holds a Neighborhood Watch meeting with select citizens, called Captains. During this meeting police officers discuss police department reports with the Captains and answer questions. The meetings are closed, but the meeting minutes are available to the public.

Except for the Traffic Safety report, all of the incidents in these meeting minutes were previously reported to the public via news release. On Holmdel Patch, they appear under the “Police Blotter” title, and they are detailed.  Traffic reports are not yet distributed in the same manner, but the department is working on a way to do so.

These are the minutes of the April 11 Captains’ Meeting, as reported by the Police Department. The next meeting is June 13.

 Detective Bureau Report – Det. Sgt. Louis Torres

 Individual Case Information: 

• Two residential burglaries occurred on March 1:  one on Maacka Drive and the other on Sunrise Circle.  Police apprehended and arrested three subjects involved.
• Generators were stolen from two homes under construction.  Two subjects (one male and one female) were apprehended.
• There has been a rise in thefts from motor vehicles.  Do not leave valuables in your vehicles, and be sure to lock them, even if they are parked in your driveway.  Most of the thefts occurred where vehicles were left unlocked.
• A burglary occurred at a home on Freemont Lane while the residents were away.  Subject fled the scene and the first Officer responding followed with his canine partner.  Empty jewelry boxes were found in the area of Holmdel Commons.  It is believed the subject had someone pick them up in that area.
• Everyone was reminded to report ANY suspicious activity.  If you see something suspicious, but are reluctant to call the Police Department, at least try to get a license number, make and model of car, description of individuals – all this information may be important if something criminal actually occurred.
• Many scams are being reported – beware of anyone requesting money or personal information.

Traffic Safety / Crime Prevention  –  Patrolman Robert Philhower:

• Seven DWI arrests in March (1 underage drunk driver).
• 338 summonses year-to-date.
• Traffic Safety will be continuing GDL and Cell Phone Enforcement.  A Cell Phone Enforcement Patrol was held recently and 25 vehicles were stopped in one hour (talking or texting while driving).
• Patrolman Philhower and Corporal Cusick presented a GDL Program at Holmdel High School for approximately 100 student drivers and their parents.  Students do not receive parking privileges at the school unless they attend this seminar.
• Students at Holmdel High School filmed a video entitled “U Got Brains.”  This video is funded by a grant, and will be presented along with others submitted by high schools across the country.  Police, Fire and First Aid assisted in the filming.
• Crack-the-Code – This fundraiser for cancer research was held at Vonage on March 19-20.
• “Heroes Read” was held at Village School on March 2nd.  Members of the Police Department, along with the Holmdel Fire Department, and First Aid Squad, and the US Air Force, read to the children.
• “Operation Take Back New Jersey” will be held on April 30th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  This program enables you to discard unused/expired medicine in a safe manner.  
• The Department entered the “New Jersey Law Enforcement Challenge,” which is a competition between Departments of similar size throughout the country.  Departments are evaluated on several different categories:  seatbelt enforcement, drunk driving, speed enforcement, underage alcohol enforcement, technology award (i.e. basically the use of video cameras, speed indicator trailers, crash investigations, etc).

Juvenile Report – Corporal William Cusick

• Holmdel High School Junior Prom is scheduled for May 20th in Spring Lake Heights, and the Senior Prom is June 10th in Eatontown.  Corporal Cusick will attend both Proms.  Corporal Cusick reported he would have the “Portable Breath Test Machine” with him, and all students are warned not to consume any alcohol before coming to the prom. 
• “Sudden Impact” will be held on June 3rd at Holmdel High School.  This is a joint effort between the Police, School, and the Holmdel Drug and Alcohol Alliance.  The Program stresses the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  All students must attend this program or they will not be allowed to attend their prom.
• The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Holmdel Police Department presented a “Cyber Bullying” Program to teachers and faculty at Holmdel High School.
• Corporal Cusick attends the Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) Meetings each month.  Members of the Committee are trained volunteers, and hear juvenile cases of first-time offenders.  Shoplifting, alcohol and minor drug offenses are the most common.
• “Race to Nowhere” Program scheduled at Holmdel High School for April 14th 

Sergeant Pigott showed a short video entitled “See Something – Say Something.”  The video stresses the need to report ANYTHING you feel is suspicious, especially in these days of terrorist activity.

Crime Prevention – Sgt. Pigott reported the following:

Upcoming Programs:

• Annual Dinner/Luncheon:  The Holmdel Police Department is looking to hold the event in September/October and possibly have it in the courtroom to cut down on cost.  More information will follow.
• Safe-not-Sorry:  This self-defense program for high school girls going off to college will be held June 1, 6, 8 & 15, 2011.  The program begins at 7:00 PM and will be held at Holmdel High School.  A brochure and application are attached.
• Police Youth Academy:  Will be held August 15-19 (9 & 10 year olds) and August 22-26 (11 & 12 year olds).  Applications will be available in May - watch the Holmdel Police Website for more information.

2011 Meeting Dates:

Following are the dates for the remainder of the 2011 Captains’ Meetings:

• June 13
• August 8
• October 17
• December 12