The Maryanne Drive thieves also hit an unlocked car belonging to George Scott's daughter. Now I make sure everything is locked, especially at night. A combination of factors have helped reduce the township's crime rate, Dougard said. Police officers handed out 9,041 traffic tickets in 1997, an almost 28 percent increase over 1996. The department, through its community police program, works with merchants in the township's shopping centers, particularly during the holiday season, to cut down on crimes such as shoplifting and other thefts.
Bicycle patrols ride around the mall parking lots.
Officers wearing civilian clothes and riding in unmarked cars also have been used to cut down car burglaries. For a town that is growing the way this town is, I think our growth is far outpacing the crime that we have. Joseph Herron, manager of Brick Wal-Mart, said crime prevention officers have given demonstrations for store employees on how people steal merchandise. It makes a difference. Special patrols during the holiday season keep down crimes such as purse snatching and thefts from cars, Herron said.