'Alarming' Car Theft Spike Leads To Safety Initiative In Bergen Co.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — In response to an "alarming" spike in vehicle thefts, Bergen County, on this year's National Night Out, is launching a safety initiative that will encourage car owners to take steps to secure their vehicles, Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a news release.

“We view National Night Out as a valuable opportunity to engage with local residents and share important crime prevention and safety messages,” Musella said.

For Tuesday's National Night Out, an annual campaign that promotes police-community partnerships, Bergen County is launching the "Bergen Beeps" initiative to share "common sense" safety tips, such as locking car doors, concealing valuables, and removing key fobs from cars.

"I encourage all residents to ask about Bergen Beeps, because together, we can stop vehicle break-ins," County Executive Jim Tedesco said.