Preventing burglaries can be as simple as locking your deadbolt.

That was the advice from West Orange police officials who gathered Monday night with township residents at a Valley Community Watch meeting to address the recent rash of home burglaries.

The brief meeting at Hazel Elementary School helped residents learn how to keep their homes safe amid the spree of break-ins in the Gregory neighborhood.

West Orange Police Officer John Palardy suggested wedging a crow bar, made from a chopped up broom stick, between sliding glass doors and windows to prevent thieves from gaining access to the house. Other tips include leaving valuables out of sight, locking garage doors and placing car keys by the bed to activate the car alarm if an intruder tries to enter. Palardy said residents should avoid any confrontation with the burglars.

"They're getting into the homes by the most easily accessible methods," said Palardy. "Your biggest security measure is to keep your doors locked." 

More than 33 burglaries and another 15 attempted burglaries have plagued West Orange, South Orange, Maplewood and Millburn since early October. Some of the burglaries have occurred overnight while residents were asleep, while others have happened during the day.

Police officials said a Ridgeview Avenue home in West Orange was burglarized early Monday morning and two laptops, car keys and the homeowner's car were taken. Police said there have been similar burglaries involving stolen cars in South Orange.

Authorities said West Orange issued a reverse 911 call targeted to residents in the Gregory and Valley areas Oct. 28 to inform them of the burglary spree. Police also said a crime alert was issued internally to other law enforcement agencies.

"I think it's important that the police interact and are involved in their community," said Palardy. "It's the neighbors that see things and report it to us."

Juan Pintado, of Valley Community Watch, said he wanted to get both police and residents in the same room to hear more about the ongoing burglary investigations.

"We tried to get the police department to assure people and provide them with safety tips that people tend to forget," he said.

Aaron To, a West Orange resident who lives in the Valley District, said he's concerned about the burglaries because of his kids.

"I have two kids, so I'm concerned for their safety," he said.

West Orange resident Caroline Virella said it's nerve-wracking.

"It's too close for comfort," said Virella. "When you're home sleeping, it's scary."

Police encourage all residents to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.

"You can't have a good police department without the help of the community and if the community doesn't get involved, then the police department cannot do a good job," said Pintado. 

Read about recent burglary arrests here. View an interactive map of the burglaries here. Learn about neighborhood watch programs here. Read more about the burglaries here.