Township addresses community public safety

The township held a panel discussion last month that focused on issues impacting public safety throughout the community, with no formal action taken.

The discussion was moderated by Lisette Gonzalez, chair of the Better Together Advisory Committee, who was also joined by Mayor Quinton Law; Deputy Mayor Chris Keating; Patrick J. Reilly, Jr, director of the Moorestown Police Department; Brian Woolston, Deputy Chief with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice; and Andrew J. Luyber, Chief of Detectives with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The discussion was initiated, Gonzalez said, to discuss updates and share information on safety, crime and crime prevention, so that residents can be more informed, aware and not be a target.

“Our primary responsibility is to advise township council on how the township can better protect and celebrate diversity and equity, while ensuring inclusion among our residents, businesses and visitors,” Gonzalez said of the Better Together Advisory Committee.

“We hear about things that are happening in town, and we want to make sure that we’re as responsive as possible,” Law said on Aug. 3. “The way that we’re doing that is by bringing all parties to the table tonight to really hear from you, but also so that you can be briefed with information so that when you go back to your community and your neighborhood, you can hopefully share with them and answer your neighbor’s questions about what we’re doing at town hall and at the Moorestown Police Department.”

Compared to last year, the police department has seen an uptick in crime trends, like fraud incidents. Car thefts are about the same, Reilly said, but there has been an uptick in people leaving their keys in the car. So far this year, 12 vehicles have been stolen from homeowners, nine of which had the keys left inside; however, nine cars were recovered. Last year, 19 vehicles were stolen with sixteen recovered; in 2024, 11 were stolen with seven recovered; and in 2023, 12 were stolen with nine recovered. Burglaries are about the same, but arrests are up, which shows improved measures to address this criminal act. For the past two-plus years, the department has had a patrol unit go out during the night from midnight to 6 a.m., during the times when break-ins would occur. Reilly added that on Sundays, the department also has a patrol unit go out from 7 a.m. to noon at various churches to interact with the congregations to provide a level of comfort and presence. The department has also recently enforced an E-bike patrol to check on things like making sure that a rider’s paperwork is up to speed.

Residents who have concerns and want to be heard can reach Reilly at any time, he reaffirmed. You can call and/or email him, or you can simply show up at the department’s headquarters. He’s there and he’s willing to listen and figure out what can be done to fix a particular issue. Reilly can be reached at (856) 914-3040 or preilly@moorestownpd.com.

“I give them that respect and try to figure out a way that’s going to make it better for them, and my department is doing that,” he said. “They’re young, they’re working hard, they’re listening and they’re learning.”

“Our team on council under the mayor’s leadership, we work around the clock to hear your concerns and address them,” Keating said. “We can’t promise perfection, we can’t promise to solve everything, but we try and if you come to us, we’re willing to do our best.”