Police Chief: Neighborhood Patrols to Continue

Wayne will continue to patrol neighborhoods for suspicious activity and individuals, despite arresting three people charged with burglary in recent weeks.

Police Chief John Reardon said manpower allocations will be determined “as we go forward and see what happens.”

“We still encourage residents to call us with anything suspicious,” Reardon said.

Two Hackensack men earlier this month after they broke into a home on Fairfield Road and led police on a foot chase.

A New York man was charged with eluding earlier this week after he fled from authorities. Little Falls Police charged Ronald Catti with burglary after Wayne Police observed Catti break into a home there Monday afternoon. He in a children’s playhouse early Monday evening.

Two women after they broke into an abandoned home on Brookside Road.

All five arrests stemmed from residents calling police, something authorities have encouraged residents to do more of since a rash of burglaries earlier this month.

Mostly cash, jewelry, and coins were taken from the homes. A few individuals ran away from properties while reportedly trying to break in because people were home.

“We still encourage residents to call us with anything suspicious,” Reardon said. “There is no shortage of people committing burglaries.”

The department’s phone number is 973-694-0600.

Some residents have been proactive in keeping their neighborhood safe.

Jeff Mortman, a former Marine, has organized a watch group to patrol Howe Avenue and the surrounding area. A dozen people patrol the streets daily in shifts.

“We could’ve turned a blind eye to each other but instead we’re helping each other out and it is really great,” Mortman said. “We want to keep it going.”

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.