One of the things that made me happy early one morning this week was seeing the Atlantic Highlands Police Department at work. While they are always at work, and always taking great care of the residents and visitors to Atlantic Highlands, what I saw on my windshield when I went to my car early in the morning was one more proof that when the police are patrolling the town throughout the night, they’re not just driving; they’re getting out and checking things.
Seeing the ‘ticket size’ piece of cardboard under my windshield wiper, I immediately wondered what I did wrong that earned me a ticket.
The car was parked on the street in front of my apartment, legally, close enough to the curb, and not blocking anyone else’s driveway. What could it be for, I wondered as I took the cardboard out from beneath the wiper and began to read.
It wasn’t a ticket. It wasn’t a warning. It was simply a reminder I should be more careful in this time of so many car thefts throughout Monmouth County.
The card clearly identified it as a notice from the Atlantic Highlands Police Department under Chief Scott Reinert, and noted that a professional only needs 30 seconds to steal any vehicle not properly protected by its owner. “A vehicle with an unlocked door or open window is an easy target,” the narrative explained before urging me to roll up windows, lock doors, and not leave keys inside the vehicle, or of course, leave the vehicle running nor leave any valuables in plain view.
So yes, I was ‘careless.’ I had my windows closed, which doesn’t always happen, and I never leave my keys in the car, or leave it running. The only valuables I leave in the car are the plastic bags I re-use when I bring newspapers to the recycling yard. But I usually don’t lock my car.
Not in Atlantic Highlands. Not in the quiet charming residential area where I live. But the notice reminded me even in quiet neighborhoods like there are all over the borough, things are different today. And sadly, even here, it’s necessary to lock vehicles.
The officer who left the notice signed his name, Austin Cheesman and badge number, #302, in case I wanted to check the veracity of the card. He had dutifully checked off “Vehicle unlocked” the only one of the four conditions that could put my vehicle at risk.
But he also signed the time and date in which he put that notice under my windshield. It was Oct. 9…..at 1:01 a.m.
Thanks Officer Chessman for patrolling my neighborhood. Thanks for making me aware I should be more careful. Thanks for taking the time, in spite of the heavy rain that night, to get out of your vehicle, check my car, and put a reminder under the wipers.
No wonder I can sleep so well nights living in Atlantic Highlands
