Holmdel Neighborhood Watch

Captains’ Meeting

April 29, 2010

 Crime Prevention – Ptl. Pigott reported on the following:

 NW Groups:

Pigott is in the process of starting the following new groups:

·       Apple Grove / Dearborn Drive
 Ridge Hill Way 

CodeRED:

After experiencing many problems in the past year with the Reverse 911 System, the Department has now contracted with Emergency Communications Network and began using their CodeRED Notification System.  Pigott explained that this System is much more reliable, and transmits messages in a fraction of the time it took Reverse 911.  Residents can visit either the Police Department Website at www.holmdelpolice.org or the Township’s Website at www.holmdeltownship-nj.com , click on the CodeRED icon and input your information.  If you do not have access to the Internet contact Liz Bird at 732-946-9690 ext. 1721 to have your information included.  Along with emergency and traffic information from the Police Department you will also received any messages concerning recycling, brush pick-up, etc. from the Township. 

Nixle:

The Department will begin utilizing Nixle in the near future.  This is a Community Information Service providing access to credible real-time community information.  If you wish to subscribe to this free service, you will receive information from the Department as it is happening, i.e., accident scene with street closings, community program in progress, etc.  More information will follow shortly. 

Upcoming Programs:

Patrolman Pigott gave a short presentation on the “Safe not Sorry” Program, which will be held on four consecutive Wednesdays:  May 26, June 2, 9 & 16, 2010.  The Program is designed for college age young women to learn how to better protect themselves from sexual assault.  

Captain Mioduszewski spoke about the Holmdel Police Youth Academy and gave a short presentation to explain what the Program is all about.   The Youth Academy will be held August 16-20, 2010 (9 & 10 year olds) and August 23-27, 2010 (11 & 12 year olds). 

Detective Bureau Report – Det. Eric Hernando: 

Hernando reported Department statistics:

·       363 Arrests (year to date) 25 of which were juvenile

·       82 new investigations initiated since January.  These include fraud, theft, shoplifting, burglaries (residential and vehicle), ID theft, drugs, sexual assaults, assaults, homicide. 

Detective Hernando spoke about the “Traveler” Scam.  This is the time of year when these individuals are around.  They ring your bell and tell you they noticed your driveway is cracked and offer to repair it at low-cost with materials they have “left over” from another job.  They either take your money and don’t return, or do the job using inferior material which washes away with the next rain.  Usually you can expose these contractors by requesting printed material – they won’t have any and usually doesn’t carry business cards. 

Notable Recent Cases: 

§       Several arrests made on burglaries from 2009:  A Burglar injured himself during the commission of a burglary and left blood at the scene.  The blood was collected and through DNA testing, we were able to identify a male suspect from Eatontown, who was arrested and facing prosecution. 

§       There was a burglary on Everett Road for which a juvenile was arrested.  That arrest led to the arrest of an adult Honduran male who was employing juveniles to commit burglaries in our area. 

§       1/22/10 – Four subjects were arrested at the Holmdel Motor Inn in connection with a sexual assault of a 14 year old girl.  One was charged with sexual assault and the other three with endangering the welfare of a child. 

§       3/3/10 – Murder/Suicide/Arson on Red Hill Road.  Investigation has revealed that the 36 year old female resident, Carina Schlesinger, had murdered her 29 year old boyfriend, Daniel Cresci, by shooting him in the head.  Cresci’s family members eventually reported him missing after not hearing from him for several days.  Schlesinger had kept Cresci’s body in her residence during that time.  Cresci’s brother and good friend then went to Schlesinger’s house to look for Daniel.  When they knocked on the door, Schlesinger ignited cans of gasoline then shot herself in the head.  The weapon involved was recovered at the scene.  This case is still being investigated. 

§       3/22/10 – An employee of Bayshore Hospital’s pharmacy was arrested for stealing over 8,000 hydrocodone pills from the pharmacy over a period of three years.  The street value of these pills is over $150,000. 

§       4/3/10 – Two Holmdel residents burglarized a car in the Old Manor section of Town.  They then stole the vehicle from the house right next door.  They were arrested by the South Amboy Police Department for an unrelated matter.  Investigation by Holmdel Officers linked the two to the burglary and theft.  The two were arrested and later confessed to the offenses.  As a result of this arrest, Officers were also able to obtain information from the defendants that led to the identification of the armed robbery of the Radio Shack in Hazlet and a theft in Middletown. 

SRO Report – Corporal Cusick: 

Linda Hyland stated that the “drop off” in front of the Satz School is a hazard to the children crossing.  Corporal Cusick stated this has been addressed in the past and will be monitored at the start of the 2011 school year. 

Cusick reported the following: 

A DWI Presentation was given to the Sophomore Class.

 All Seniors must take a “Safe Driving Initiative” class in order to receive a permit to park at the High School.  The parking privilege is revoked after a second GDL offense is committed.

 Lockdown and Evacuation Drills were held at all schools.

Holmdel High School students attended the Sudden Impact Program at MAST Academy.  This program must be attended before students can attend the proms.

 Junior Prom scheduled for May 21^st.  Senior Prom June 4^th. Graduation for both Satz School and Holmdel High School will be June 24^th at Brookdale Community College. 

Traffic Safety  – Sergeant McGowan:

McGowan reported the following: 

§       Crosswalks at the shopping centers will now require drivers to “Stop” for instead of “Yield” to pedestrians.  An offense for not stopping carries a fine and points.  This also applies to pedestrians who DO NOT cross in the designated crosswalks. 

§       A new seatbelt law makes it mandatory for back seat passengers to utilize seatbelts. 

§       Move Over Law – requires that you slow down and move to the next lane (if safely possible) when you see an emergency vehicle, with lights flashing, stopped on the shoulder / side of the road. 

§       Please see the Department Website under “Specialized Units” “Traffic Safety Bureau” for the new laws governing the use of stickers for the GDL licenses. 

REMINDER:  Emails can be directed to all Police personnel by using their first initial, last name @holmdelpolice.org (example:  rwilson@holmdelpolice.org). 

 

 

In 1994, a Holmdel resident was upset by the fact that her house was almost burglarized, and she was not aware that burglaries had been occurring in her neighborhood with some frequency.  At her suggestion – the Neighborhood Watch began.

 

Currently there are 61 groups in Holmdel, consisting of approximately 1300 families.  These families provide additional “eyes and ears” for the Police Department.  The Neighborhood Watch has helped residents to get to know one another, and to watch out for one another.

 

Starting a Neighborhood Watch group is simple.  Contact Patrolman Michael Pigott at (732) 946-9690 ext 1733 /  mpigott@holmdelpolice.org

He will meet with the residents in your neighborhood and explain how the program works.