Scotch Plains Police Department

Back to dad joke Friday... this one sure sleighs! 😂
Have a good weekend- be safe, drive sober and LOCK YOUR CARS!

Yes, we repeat this a LOT. But it keeps happening. It's difficult to teach criminals not to steal, but it would sure help if you didn't make it so easy for them. Keep doing the 9pm routine... Take your keys and valuables out of your car, LOCK it, make sure the house is locked and put on an outside light.

It's December, time for holiday dad jokes... Enjoy your weekend

It's the season for package thefts. The nice thing is NJ now made this a 3rd degree indictable crime, the bad news is we can't be your personal delivery monitor. Please call us if you see suspicious activity- don't wait an hour or two before calling and saying you saw a strange car pull up and take all of your neighbors packages (yes, that does happen).

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We are thankful for such a supportive community and the fine men and women keeping us safe today. If you are home today, give us a wave when we go by. If you are out today, please lock your car and house up. Drive safe. Drive sober.

Tonight is one of those nights -Super Wednesday, amateur night, drinksgiving, blackout Wednesday, whatever you want to call it- It seems like everyone is either coming home in tons of traffic or out at the bars reuniting with old friends. Please have a plan. Drive sober. No need to ruin your Thanksgiving by sitting in jail, the hospital or the morgue. Call for a ride. Drive Sober.

**Weather alert for tonight- expecting some moderate rainfall starting soon with potentially high gusty winds that is expected to continue most of the night. Please use caution if you are out tonight.

The holidays are around the corner, please help out with our annual toy drive and bring a smile to a child this holiday season. Drop off unwrapped toys in the police lobby. All ages appreciated.

Work and Life balance. A tough thing for most of us, and slightly more challenging for Police Officers. Sgt Gitto was part of the Veterans Day wreath ceremony this weekend, had to bring his son to work. The little guy almost made it through the whole ceremony being held by another officers daughter, but at the time of the police presentation he only wanted dad. So, the Father, Veteran, and Police Sergeant picks him up in stride and finishes the event with a big "Awwwweee" from the crowd. Thank you for getting the great picture!

Twenty percent of our department is made up of Veterans. Thanking them and all the Veterans who have served to keep our country safe.

Veterans Day is observed today, however the annual Scotch Plains Veterans Service will be tomorrow 11/11 (Veterans Day) at 11am on Park Ave by Front St.- Feel free to stop down to honor those who have served.

Special thanks to longtime resident, Wolfgang Brock, who with 60 years of baking experience dropped off this delightful treat! THANK YOU!

The Scotch Plains Police Department is proud to join our fellow departments from across the county in this amazing program. Please visit the link below for more information about the program.

https://ucnj.org/blueenvelope/

*** Found Dog *** Brown and White husky. Very friendly. Call us 908-322-7100

****UPDATE- OWNER LOCATED AND PICKED UP DOG ****

Don't forget, extra sleep tonight for most of us. Good luck changing the time on the car, oven, microwave and whatever else doesn't automatically do it. Also, the Plains Fire Department will tell you it's that time of year to change the batteries in the smoke detectors and CO Alarms. We also learned that you should change the direction of your ceiling fan now for better heating efficiency.

We get it, it was cold this morning, we saw a lot of people warming up cars and probably not everyone has a remote start with security features. If we saw it, chances are less honest people also saw it. The new owner of your car might thank you for leaving everything in there all warmed up, but I doubt they would leave you anything other than an empty parking spot.

Currently looking for retired PTC certified Police Officers to take a SLEO III position in township school. $35/hour. Please contact Lt. Stan Pearson for additional information.

*UPDATE: Michael said he was sorry and it appeared to just be a misunderstanding. He was able to get a fancy cup of coffee , check a few emails, posted a new résumé , felt much better and relaxed. He has been conditionally released and will spend a few more days helping us out.

BREAKING NEWS- Several social media tips led us to finding Michael along Route 22. He was taken into custody without incident, and was happy for a ride back to the police station. The town is safe for the weekend. Please drive safely as everyone is probably out and about celebrating with the beautiful weather this weekend.

The Haddonfield Sheriff's Department is looking for an individual in our town. There have been numerous sightings around town. If you happen to see him, give us a call. He goes by the name Michael...

SPPD Sgt. Gitto, a USMC Veteran, was present at todays SPF PAL Veterans Appreciation Games. Sgt Gitto, also a Purple Heart recipient was recognized for his service and conducted the coin toss for the first game of the day.

Another fall weekend is upon us. There's the bad parts of fall- raking leaves, dark out earlier, cold rain, and all things pumpkin spice... But the good parts of nice sunrises, hoodies and flannel make up for it. Enjoy the weekend, drive safe, drive sober.

We are not really sure what's going on with this cloud this morning. Maybe someone lit the black candle and the Sanderson sisters are arriving early?

Traffic Tip Tuesday- It's that time of year where the leaves are falling and the rain or morning dew helps to glue them to your windshield. Please don't drive if your car is looking like this. Take a few minutes to clear it off at home. Drive safe.

It's Friday- laugh a little at our bad jokes. Enjoy the weekend, stay safe, drive sober.

If you take a minute and read about the 313 Ancestors Speak Project and how you can help this worthwhile cause. https://313ancestorsspeakproject.org/
The Scotch Plains Police are helping sponsor this event coming up later this month.
313+ Ancestors Speak Project

Traffic Tip Tuesday: SLOW DOWN. Numerous complaints from residents of people speeding down the side streets. You don't want it in your neighborhood, be respectful and don't do it in other peoples neighborhoods.

Bad cop jokes..... Hope everyone enjoys their weekend, be safe, drive sober.

Just for your information: Today there will be a nationwide test of the emergency broadcast system. A test message will go across all cell phones, TVs and radio stations. This will occur at 2:20pm eastern time.

Traffic Tip Tuesday: No U-Turn. There are a lot of these signs up around the schools and surrounding streets. This is for CHILD safety. There are children and pedestrian traffic all over the place and now drivers are trying to make a U-turn, K-turn, 8 point turn or an Austin Powers turn in the middle of the road. It's not safe. Don't be that person that runs a child over because you are too lazy to drive to the next intersection.

Don't forget- Coffee with a Cop, Wednesday 10/4 - outside of the municipal building. Free coffee and treats. See you then!

Looks like the sun we had the other day was just a tease. Clearly we have some pretty good rain coming down today. Feel free to stomp around in puddles. Currently all roads are passable, no reports of flooding or other hazards. SLOW DOWN, drive safe. Keep those headlights on.

As most people are aware the Hyundai / Kia challenge is resulting in numerous stolen vehicles. Beginning Sunday October 1st, at Scotch Plains Day, the Police department will be giving away steering wheel locks to residents with these vehicles on a first come first serve basis. After Scotch Plains Day, residents can stop down at Police HQ and request a lock until supplies run out. Thank you for providing us with the locks.

Not sure if you are a rise and shine type of person or a caffeinate and hope for the best type of person, but either way- Come join us for Coffee with a Cop, October 4th from 10am-2pm outside of the municipal building for some coffee from@blackdropcoffeenj food from

Traffic Tip Tuesday

Dont forget- Saturday is the annual Rose Checchio 5k Walk to wipe out Breast Cancer. Walk begins at 9am. Play for P.I.N.K.