Doorbell-Ringing Ploy Happening In Towns By Chatham: Police

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Borough Police cautioned residents about a scam that has been making its way through Morris County, the most recent incident in Florham Park.

On their social media on Thursday, the police department retold the story of an attempted burglary, which the homeowners were able to fend off; and Chatham’s Police Department said is becoming more common in both the county and statewide.

On Dec. 14, three people rang a family’s doorbell that evening several times, police said, then were able to force open the door, coming inside before the family scared the uninvited guests away.

With this type of burglary, as well as ones for cars becoming more common in the region, Chatham Borough Police said residents should contact the police department right away when they see suspicious activity of any kind.

From there, residents can further protect themselves, Chatham Borough Police said, by:

• Locking their doors to their home and cars
• Keeping home and car alarms activated
• Taking all keys and valuables from cars after they are locked
• Closing and locking garage doors, particularly at night
• Taking packages in that are dropped off, as quickly as possible
• Having motion sensor lights inside and outdoors that come on when residents are also away from home.
• Installing security cameras and joining the RING Neighborhood App.

Need help with connecting to the Chatham Borough RING Neighborhood App or registering other types of security cameras with the police department? Contact Officer Brian Colatrella at 973-701-6806.

For more information about the Ring Neighbors App for any town, visit www.ring.com/neighbors.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a local news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.