It sounds like the Police have a very good description of criminals.
If they have sketch I hope it is posted on The PATCH and we can help Identify them So they can be arrested and taken off the W. Orange Streets.
I hope the Police stop all that fit the description and check for I D and warrants.
PATCH thank you for informing residents

Regardless of the naysayers who hide behind 2 year old UCR's proclaiming that crime is not on the rise, you cannot deny that the frequency and violent nature of these crimes is on the rise at an alarming rate. People are being robbed, home invasion, pistol whippings, assaults, armed robberies, etc....the online news sources simply cannot keep p with reporting all of the crimes happening every day now.

The increase in crime in WO is astonishing and quite alarming!

The increase in crime is VERY alarming in west orange but town politicians don't want anyone to know.

There's Valley Road again. These crimes are basically an extension of Orange's crime problems. Wasn't the WOPD supposed to be stepping up patrols and putting cameras in that area?

Someone deleted my comment...wonder why?
Trying to alert people in the valley to be more careful...
Why delete that?

It will be interesting to see if the next UCR update reflects the perceptions of many(?)/ some Patch posters (readers). Maybe ...... that will settle the argument, although, those who relish a good argument, will probably not let it go - it's too much fun!

Gary,

Take a really good, long hard look at Main Street, The Valley Section, Pleasantdale and so on. When most of us moved into West Orange, the crime wasn't this bad. Obviously, times change. Bad economy brings crime. It's the nature of the beat. But, within the past 6 years, police presence has dropped significantly in all areas. We would see Police on bicycles, walking, more cars on the roads and even motorcycles? It seems the bicycles now are a thing of the past, motorcycles are only used for parades and funerals, and there are far fewer cars patrolling. The best enforcement is prevention. Police presence, is prevention.

No Gary, you think of the "kids".
imagine living in West Orange and giving your kid couple dollars to go down and pick up a gallon of milk and they are attacked,beaten and robbed.
According to Gary these types of crimes happen everywhere...LOL

On September 19, 2010 the Star Ledger published an interesting article entitled: "N.J. Police Salaries Rank Highest in Nation with Median Pay of $90,672.00." If my salary were considered to be one of the highest in the nation, I would try to do the best job I could do every day of my life. Here is the link to the Star Ledger article: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/nj_police_salaries_rank_highes.html

Two weeks ago there was a Patch post that mentioned people getting mugged and robbed at the ATM located at the Bank of America on Main Street. The ATM is directly across the street from the West Orange Police Department and this happened twice in two weeks. Bank of America had to hire private security. What can be said about that?

As for Valley Road, didn't they start a satellite police station there? It's a known fact that Valley Road needs constant police presence. I've seen crime there since I was a teenager. My sister use to live in one of the condominiums and we would observe criminal activity almost daily.

Stop complaining so much and clean up the streets.

Gunny and Tom:

West Orange has been my home for 52 years and, yes, when I moved here it was far more bucolic, with broad tracts of land on the back slope of First Mountain and much of the eastern slope of Second Mountain still largely forest.

Many of the homes along the west side of Saint Cloud Avenue had stables and boarded horses that were ridden on the trails that ran through South Mountain Reservation. Yes, those were the good old days.

The bottom line remains, however, that crime is generally in decline; both in West Orange and throughout the nation.

Panicking and jumping to some contrary conclusion because of the immediacy and more widespread dissemination of Internet incident reporting won't change the truth andthe truth is that there is half as much crime as there was in 1997.

john anthony prignano:

Last statistics I saw, the WOFD responds to +/- 4,000 calls for service each year, more than 11 each 24 hour shift.

When not so engaged, the rigs receive maintenance, the equipment used re-stored and expendable items replaced, all to be ready for the next run. In a line of work where minutes can be the difference between life and death, firemen taking a stroll around the neighborhood is contraindicated; they must stay close to their equipment and ready to respond in an instant.

You're also completely ignoring the fact that none of our firehouses (with the possible exception of Washinton Street) happen to be located in a high pedestrian traffic/retail area where fireman longing outside the front door would act as a deterent to much of anything.

People may be assured, however, if someone goes to a firehouse (assuming it is occupied and the men are not out on a call) with an emergency of any kind, they will receive professional and courteous help.

Gary nonsense
You have one big bag of excuses!

BTW Current West Orange population is about the same as it was in 1970...

The dismissive attitude Gary has on opinions of others, is the only real nonsense in these comments. Maybe the crime rate is lower, but the types of crimes being committed are not. Gary seems to forget West Orange's history is awash in violent crime and residents who were violent criminals, Dating back to the 1800's., Margaret Meierhoffer ( she was executed for her crime), serial killer Charles Cullen, drug kingpins, gang murders, mafia murders etc... No matter how West Orange tries to sugar coat it's image, the history of violent crime in West Orange is not "nonsense".

Tom:

Actually, you are wrong; the population in West Orange, circa 1970, was +/- 39,000, whereas it had grown to 46,000 by the 2010 census.

That said, what I have aren't excuses, what I have are facts.

You?

Not so much.

Paul P:

Far from being dismissive, my position is simply that we are all better served by dealing with the reality of any situation and neither embelishing it nor diminishing it.

Crime of all type, including violent crime, IS declining and saying otherwise without proof is irresponsible.

And, yes, West Orange has had its share of both colorful and infamous characters...just like most everywhere else.

Statically violent crime is declining. But statically the chances of being involved in a violent crime per square in West Orange is higher than the national average. West Oranges' location, nestled in the middle of 2 of the safest communities statically ( Short Hills, Millburn) and 2 of the highest, ( Orange , East Orange) the chances of being a victim of a violent crime is 75% higher statically , than the rest of the nation. I used the word statically specifically because the proof is easily researched and all one has do is take the time to do so. West Orange also has a colorful history of drug over doses, which are not part of any statics, from one of West Orange's previous white wash incidents to hide its so called
colorful history, Before the advent of digital cameras, West Orange used photo labs to process crime scene photos, many which I was privy to see in a previous job, and many incidents I saw were never reported in newspapers or ant crime statistics.

As I remember it, the main issue in the article published by the Star Ledger on September 19, 2010 was that many of the best paid police officers were serving in affluent areas not requiring the amount of man power other urban/higher crime areas such as Camden, New Jersey. Here is the link to the Star Ledger article with salaries listed by County: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/nj_police_salaries_rank_highes.html

To most reasonable New Jersey residents, I'm sure that's the big mystery. Why pay a police officer more to protect areas that do not need that much protecting? The police mottos is "to serve and to protect" right? Well then the question should be, who are we serving and what are we protecting? Is the police force only a private police force? Are they only in it to protect private property? I think many law abiding tax payers, many times, wonder what are we paying for? After all, we give up some rights to allow the police to step in to protect us when necessary, but if the more effective policing is occurring in affluent areas is the goal just to become more affluent to reap the benefits of such protection? There is a strong comparison to be made here between our police system (i.e,, criminal justice system) and our current healthcare system in that it seems the affluent always receive the best care or service available. Why is that? Higher crime areas need more officers and they should be paid more. They take on more risk!

Population of West Orange in 1970 was 43,715 people

john anthony prignano:

Your incessant criticism of everything and everything (EVERYONE in government is over-compensated and under-worked) and that nobody holding elective office (paid or unpaid) might have more weight if you would care to share some personal, professional expertise suggesting you have the gravitas to make such observations.

Precisely what business/management/accounting/financial/human resources/public administration expertise do you have that makes you more expert about any of the topics you comment on than anyone else?

Gary
what is your excuse now??

Tom you are succinctly superb

My so called anonymous and quite unsubstantiated assertions are of great value,. In the early 90's , in a 2 month period, there were 3 heroin overdoses in West Orange. Not a word was written about them in the West Orange Chronicle or other papers, FYI, if I have those photos, would that substantiate if for you? Just because they are part of the UCR's , does not mean they didn't happen. Just like the gang recruitment efforts in West Orange. Because they aren't written about. doesn't mean it's not happening. Drug overdose isn't a crime, but police do investigate them, and as far as I know, heroin is illegal.

What about marijuana, does West Orange have a marijuana problem? The High School has a problem with students possessing it. But they are juveniles, do they count? The doctors selling Oxy illegally in town, do they count? Drug crime isn't a part of the UCR, does that mean it's not true?

Here's one link, from a half dozen I can provide you, with crime data pertaining to West Orange compared to the national median.

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nj/west-orange/crime/

Paul P:

I'm sorry but, your unsubstantiated and anonymous assertions on an Internet forum are as much value to me as saying you're Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or "The Second Coming" of Jesus Christ!

Absent proof, it's all just hot air.

You have photos of 20 year old drug overdose scene? Geez, are the victims identifiable and do you have signed, legal authorization to release such sensitive materially publicly?

If you worked for a firm that processed these photographs, my guess is that they would be their work product, and the WOPD's property so, by what authority or right do you have to possess these things?

While you're thinking that all through, please do understand, again, that an overdose is NOT a crime and as the matter is generally treated as a medical issues, the details are treated confidentially and not released to the public. Any police report promulgated would likely have names redacted before release to the public.

The FBIs Uniform Crime Reports compile data based on specific, serious criminal activity of concern to the general public.

Yes, there are crimes they don't track (drug possession) and areas of police work that are beyond its purview (motor vehicle, parking and local code enforcement, etc.).

If drug trafficking/sales/use elevates to assault/robbery/armed robbery, it will find its way onto the UCR.

The kid getting busted with a joint in his locker at school?

No...but, even the incidence of that is few and far between.

Did I say I was going to release any photos? No, I did not, so stop making things up. By the way, any photo's that are taken by a govt entity are in the public domain. The salaries of the police are payed from taxes. Look it up, it's the truth !

Are you implying drugs crimes are a minor offense when the overall affect on a community is negative? If drug possession was such a minor offense why does it make the crime news section in the Chronicle? The names of these offenders are printed for all the public to see, unless they are minors.

If I'm Santa Claus then you're the Grinch. When it comes down to debating anything concerning West Orange, if it isn't all rosy and positive, you seem to have an answer for everything. Your political and personal connections to West Orange taint your opinions and are the reason why I have no trust in anything you have to say pertaining to this town.

I highly doubt anyone can trust you anymore. When given the so called tangible and scientific evidence you ask for, and when proven wrong, you minimize the fact that you were wrong, by belittling a person and their opinion, with your redundant phrases that are found throughout the forums you frequent.

The fact remains, as much as West Orange wants to white wash it's image, and pretend to be a safe place to live, it has a crime problem, and the tangible evidence you need is there for you to look at, statistics, articles, reports, surveys etc.... You lack the impartiality to see what they say because of your political connections and role as West Orange cheerleader.

Paul P: Just where, pray tell have you provided any "tangible and scientific evidence" of anything?

The "tangible evidence" and "statistics, articles, reports, surveys, etc." all show crime declining by nearly half since 1997...and some allusions to a 20 year-old drug overdose you allegedly have pictures of...does nothing to dispute documentable fact.

I am both objective and impartial and call them like I see them...and what I see from you is unsubstantiated, anonymous nonsense.

Paul P. The Newark Star - Ledger, July 25, 2012, 6:15 am. The title of the article is "The Price of Codey's Failed Newark Restaurant: Financial troubles and a Lost Friendship." Mr. Englert says he can't find that article.I am sure you can.Please read it, it's offers some great insights.

it offers*

John, thanks for the tip. I'm reading it now and trying to wrap my head around it.

Depending upon what search engine is preferred on the computer one happens to be sitting in front of, the result of any websearch will vary; google differing from bing differing from ask.com, etc.

Rather than alluding to some personal superiority or playing hide and seek because you've seen a website/data/info that someone else hasn't, your point would be best made sharing the link with the group.

Unless your using Netscape or Alta Vista, the current popular search engines, when the phrase, The Price of Codey's Failed Newark Restaurant, yielded this.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/the_price_of_codeys_failed_new.html

Paul P I know you are thinking the same thing I am. This is why Mr. Englert is such a formidable adversary. It is impossible to predict what he's going to say on any given topic.

Gary is formidable as an opponent, but quite predicable as well. I knew providing a link to an article would equal a pompous and dismissive response from Gary. That's why sometimes I think why bother? Earlier I provided a link to west orange crime compared to the nation on a person per square mile population. And it gets dismissed as nonsense,