EBPD steps up holiday patrols at shopping malls

EAST BRUNSWICK - Police will maintain an increased presence this month at shopping malls along Route 18.

The township police department said it is adding officers from the patrol, investigative and traffic divisions in an effort to maximize the detection and deterrence of crime, address traffic problems, and ensure the safety of shoppers during the holiday season.

The officers are concentrating their efforts on a variety of criminal activity, including shoplifting, robbery, motor vehicle theft, criminal mischief, assaults and burglaries.

Additionally, officers from the Traffic Safety Division are concentrating their efforts on the enforcement of traffic violations within the patrol areas, including fire zone violations, handicapped parking violations and hazardous violations that have a high potential for resulting in motor vehicle accidents.

The police officers are operating both in uniform and in plainclothes details, and using both marked and unmarked cars. The use of the marked units has significantly increased the visible police presence in the shopping and business areas, which police said has resulted in an obvious deterrent effect as well as addressing security issues by keeping fire zones and other areas close to stores clear of vehicular traffic.

"The greatest result is the increased safety for everyone conducting holiday business along Route 18," the police department said in a press release.

The officers operating in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles are focused on detecting crimes, and are blending in with holiday shoppers and traffic, police said.

"By operating in this fashion, the officers have a better chance of actually catching criminals in the act of committing a violation," according to the press release.

"Shoppers coming into East Brunswick can do so with the knowledge that the East Brunswick Police Department has committed itself to utilizing all of its resources to the success of this assignment," the release said. "The department is confident that this Holiday Patrol Initiative will continue to result in an increased deterrence and detection of criminal and traffic related offenses, providing a safe environment for holiday shoppers."