By: Richard L. Smith
Summit officials are alerting residents to stay vigilant after several nearby towns have reported a recent spike in break-ins targeting vehicles and homes, including incidents where suspects entered occupied houses searching for key fobs.
While Summit has not seen the same level of criminal activity so far, police say these patterns often move from town to town, and they want residents prepared.
The Summit Police Department is actively sharing information with surrounding law enforcement agencies and monitoring trends closely.
Officials emphasized that while officers are taking proactive steps, community awareness plays a key role in preventing crime.
Residents are urged to take simple but effective precautions that significantly reduce opportunities for theft and home entry.
Police recommend the following:
• Park vehicles in a garage when possible
• Remove valuables and key fobs from cars and from visible areas inside your home
• Lock all vehicle doors
• Secure all exterior doors and windows
• Keep the door between your garage and home locked
• Activate your home alarm system if you have one
• Use exterior lights, especially overnight
Authorities ask anyone who sees suspicious activity, or has home surveillance footage showing unusual behavior, to contact the Summit Police Department immediately at 908-273-0051.