Police Department of the City of Orange, NJ

Hakim Sims, Acting Police Director
Kevin Sooy, Police Captain
Vincent Vitiello, Police Captain
W. Boogier, Police Captain
C. Dunn, Police Captain
A. Webster, Police Captain
Mary Williams, Confidential Secretary

The goal of the Orange Police Department is to work in partnership with each other, Orange residents, and neighboring communities to provide quality law enforcement services, and to preserve public peace and safety. We value the continuous improvement, growth, and development of our community and our organization through the use of state-of-the-art training and strategic problem-solving methods to achieve professional distinction.

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES - DIAL 911
(Sample Listings of Emergency & Non-Emergency Events)

You have just observed two suspicious subjects wandering around your neighbor’s house, which is unattended. Being a good law-abiding citizen, you decide to contact the Orange Police Department and advise them of the situation. The telephone is ringing and the following takes place:

Dispatcher: “May I have your name, address and the number you are calling from?

Your first reaction probably is – “Here I am trying to report a crime and all this person wants is my name and telephone number. Why doesn’t she do something to help me?” This is not an unusual citizen response to the question the dispatcher will ask. So I’ll give you some tips on how to phone the Orange Police Department and to better acquaint you with the departments phone procedures.

Who:               Who is being suspicious and how many?
What:              What are these individuals doing?
Where:            Where is this activity occurring? (Street address etc.)
How:               If they are entering a residence – does it look to be by force, do the suspects appear to be armed?
Details:           Description of vehicle, if any, including license number.
Details:           Direction of travel of suspects and/or their vehicle.
Special Note: It is important that you stay on the telephone until the dispatcher no longer needs you as a forward observer.

“SUSPICIOUS EVENTS THAT APPEAR NORMAL”

Although every stranger entering your neighborhood may not be a criminal, you should remain alert. There are many perfectly normal and legitimate reasons for non-residents to be in your area. Everyday mail carriers, repair people, door to door sales clerks, deliverymen are seen and accepted. Criminals are aware of this acceptance and often assume the guise of legitimate business representatives to burglarize homes and stores.

Check identification of all solicitors, meter readers, deliverymen, and repair people before permitting entry into your home. If in the least doubt, call the company before letting anyone in, getting the number from telephone information. (The number given you may be manned by a confederate.)

Be suspicious of an alleged deliveryman with a wrong address or asking if someone else lives there. Some of the not so obvious events to watch for are:

SOMEONE GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD – Watch for a short period of time. Take notice whether one or more persons try a door to see if it is locked, peers into windows, or enters a side or backyard. Any or all of these actions may indicate a possible burglar. Most suspicious is when one person enters a backyard of the house, while the other remains in the front or in a car following a short distance away. Call the police immediately; do not wait until the person leaves.

Never under any circumstances, permit anyone to enter your home for the purpose of using the telephone. If there is an emergency – offer to make the call for the party. Regardless of how friendly, polite, etc., the stranger may appear, avoid the possibility of being robbed, beaten, and/or raped.

HUMAN TRAFFIC TO AND FROM A CERTAIN RESIDENCE – Is not suspicious unless it occurs on a daily or very regular basis; especially during late or unusual hours. It could possibly be the scene of vice activities or a fence operation.

ANYONE FORCING ENTRANCE TO AND/OR TAMPERING WITH A RESIDENCE, BUSINESS OF VEHICLE.

A PERSON RUNNING, ESPECIALLY IF CARRYING SOMETHING OF VALUE.

SOMEONE CARRYING PROPERTY – If it is at an unusual hour or place, especially if the property is not wrapped as if just purchased.

A PERSON EXHIBITING UNUSUAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS – This would indicate injury, under the influence of drugs, or needing medical or psychiatric assistance.

ANY PERSONS CASUALLY WALKING THROUGH A BACKYARD – They may have just broken into your neighbor’s home.

ANY VEHICLE MOVING SLOWLY AND WITHOUT LIGHTS OR FOLLOWING A COURSE THAT APPEARS AIMLESS OR REPETITIVE IN ANY LOCATION – Particularly in areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds. Occupants may be looking for places to rob or burglarize. They also could be drug pushers or sex offenders.

PARKED, OCCUPIED VEHICLES CONTAINING ONE OR MORE PERSONS – If it is an unusual hour they could be possible lookouts for a burglary in progress.

VEHICLES BEING LOADED WITH VALUABLES IF PARKED IN FRONT OF A CLOSED BUSINESS – Or unattended residence – even if the vehicle is a legitimate looking commercial vehicle. More and more professional thieves are customizing vehicles with special signs to move more freely without suspicion.

APPARENT BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS CONDUCTED FROM A VEHICLE – Especially around schools or parks. If juveniles are involved, it could mean a possible drug sale.

PERSONS BEING FORCED INTO VEHICLES – Especially juveniles or females may indicate possible kidnapping.

AN ABANDONED VEHICLE PARKED ON YOUR BLOCK – May be a stolen car.

CONTINUOUS REPAIR OPERATIONS AT NON-BUSINESS LOCATIONS – Possibly stolen property is being stripped, repainted or otherwise altered.

OPEN OR BROKEN DOORS OR WINDOWS AT A CLOSED BUSINESS OR RESIDENCE – When owners are absent could mean a burglary in progress or already completed.

A BEAM FROM A FLASHLIGHT IN A NEIGHBOR’S HOME – Especially if the residents are away.

PERSONS WEARING OR CARRYING BLOODY CLOTHING – Could be either a suspect or victim of a serious crime.

PERSONS MAKING A QUICK CHANGE OF VEHICLES – May be attempting to elude the police or abandoning a stolen vehicle.

Some of the suspicious situations described may have logical and reasonable explanations and be completely innocent activities.

Your call could save a life, prevent an injury, or stop a criminal act. BE ALERT!!!
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR – BECOME INVOLVED!!!