Chief Robert Chamberlain of the Tenafly Police Department provided a detailed account of the rising trend in occupied dwelling burglaries, which have become more frequent and sophisticated. He noted that, unlike traditional burglaries where criminals avoid occupied homes, recent incidents have involved burglars entering homes when residents are present. This shift in criminal behavior has resulted in four occupied home burglaries in 2023, with three occurring in October alone. The Chief emphasized that these crimes often target car keys, leading to vehicle thefts, and warned of the potential for identity theft from stolen personal items such as wallets and purses.

The Chief discussed the limitations of alarm systems, acknowledging their role as deterrents but stressing the need for residents to enhance security, particularly for upper floors. He urged homeowners to adopt vigilant practices, such as locking doors and windows and avoiding leaving car fobs in vehicles. The importance of community vigilance was underscored, with a call for residents to report any suspicious activities to the police, as community input is vital for crime prevention.

The meeting also addressed the increase in vehicle thefts in Tenafly. The Chief presented data showing a fluctuation in car thefts, with a peak in 2021 and a notable rise again in 2024. Many thefts occurred due to vehicles being left unlocked with keys inside, prompting a reminder about responsible vehicle security practices. He highlighted a recent incident involving a rental car theft where multiple vehicles were targeted due to their unlocked status. Residents were warned about organized crime groups operating in the area, with sophisticated techniques to enter homes undetected, particularly those with high-value vehicles.

The police department’s collaboration with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department was mentioned as a strategy to enhance patrol capabilities. Mutual aid agreements with surrounding towns have been crucial, especially during high-crime periods. A recent pursuit of a suspicious vehicle by officers resulted in a crash, yielding evidence that aided in suspect identification. Despite finite resources and the challenge of providing round-the-clock coverage, the police department plans to address staffing needs in an upcoming police commission meeting.

Residents at the meeting expressed significant concern about the series of home invasions, particularly those occurring while occupants were home and asleep. The Chief assured the community that investigations are ongoing, with promising leads, but he refrained from sharing details that could compromise the cases. He reiterated the importance of using technology in resolving these incidents but acknowledged that such processes require time.

Practical security advice was provided, encouraging residents to secure their vehicles and remove key fobs, and to use timers for indoor and outdoor lights to create the appearance of occupancy. The Chief advised against physical confrontation with intruders, stressing the importance of calling the police immediately in emergencies. He also addressed questions about the legal framework for self-defense in home invasion situations, noting the absence of a “castle doctrine” in New Jersey.

The meeting concluded with a resident expressing appreciation for the police department’s efforts and urging the council to prioritize funding for additional police resources, including surveillance cameras.