Montgomery Township Police Host Safe Streets, Strong Community Presentation

By Nicholas Mistretta

The Montgomery Township Police Department, led by Chief Silvio Bet, hosted a “Safe Streets, Strong Community” crime prevention presentation on March 5th. Detective Joseph Ceccato spearheaded the session, offering residents valuable tips on safeguarding their homes and community. The presentation aimed to promote safety through education and encourage active involvement in preventing crime.

Detective Ceccato revealed that since January 1st, 2024, the township had seen 18 residential burglaries. Commonly targeted items include cash, jewelry, gold, firearms, luxury handbags, and car keys. He emphasized that burglars often study their victims beforehand, observing routines or even posing as delivery workers or solicitors to determine when homes are unoccupied.

To help residents better protect themselves, Detective Ceccato offered several practical safety tips. First, lock all doors and windows. This includes garage doors and other possible entry points. Keep lights on at night pointing out a well-lit home is less likely to attract burglars. Store valuables in a safe ensuring the safe is bolted down to prevent easy removal. Store car keys in a bedroom, away from doors or hooks near entryways. “Criminals do not seek confrontation,” Ceccato added, urging residents to avoid making their homes easy targets. Use a Faraday bag to store key fobs. A Faraday bag is a portable enclosure that blocks electromagnetic signals to and from electronic devices. Tech savvy criminals can actually duplicate your key fob from outside your home. The Faraday bag prevents these attempts.

Detective Ceccato also highlighted the increasing issue of car and catalytic converter thefts in the area. He offered the following tips to reduce risk. Always lock your vehicle and remove any keys or fobs. Park in well-lit areas whenever possible, as well as, keeping high-end vehicles in the garage out of sight.

A recurring point in the presentation was the role of community involvement in preventing crime. Ceccato urged residents to join neighborhood watch programs, increase communication with neighbors, and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police. Even minor details could be crucial in identifying crime patterns. He praised the use of platforms like Ring neighborhood alerts, which have helped police respond more quickly to incidents adding Montgomery plans to expand their Ring monitoring in the near future. He also stressed the importance of notifying the police, not just your neighbors.

The township has also embraced technology to support crime prevention. Six Flock Safety cameras equipped with Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) are now installed across the town. These cameras notify police whenever a stolen vehicle or a vehicle of interest enters the township, acting as a key crime-fighting tool.

Detective Ceccato concluded the presentation with a few key takeaways: “Lock it, light it, secure it.” He stressed the importance of being proactive, stating that crime prevention starts with residents. He reassured attendees that the police department is always available to address concerns, urging the community never to hesitate in reporting suspicious activity. “Awareness can prevent the next crime,” he reminded everyone.

The Montgomery Township Police Department remains committed to fostering a safer community through vigilance, technology, and strong community partnerships.