Middlesex Borough

Newsletter - December 2023

Police: Winter News and Events

The Middlesex Borough Police Department has had some very successful initiatives moving into the Winter months of 2023, including support of Wear Pink for a Cause, No Shave November, REPLENISH Food Drive, and National Prescription Take Back.

Parking prohibited on Snow Covered Roadways

Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway, an emergency shall exist and no vehicle shall be parked on any street or highway or portion thereof. This prohibition shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased, until the street has been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic. When forecasts suggest that snow will accumulate on our roadways, it is important to remove all vehicles from the roadways so that crews can clear the roads of snow and ice. Snowbound vehicles can choke roadways, preventing the passage of emergency vehicles and delaying the delivery of important - sometimes lifesaving - emergency services.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

New Jersey is Cracking Down on Impaired Driving

Nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in New Jersey are alcohol-related. Impaired drivers kill nearly 10,000 people on our nation’s roads each year. If you plan to drink, have a non-drinking, designated driver. The Middlesex Police Department is joining the movement across the state - Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Ice & Snow - Remove it Before You Go

Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists that fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.

Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks

Residents shall remove all snow and ice from all portions of sidewalks down to their natural surfaces. The removal snow and ice must be accomplished within 12 hours of daylight after the snow has fallen and/or the ice has formed. Municipal ordinance requires that you remove snow and ice from sidewalks. Also, you can help the dedicated men and women of the Middlesex Fire Department by clearing snow and ice from on and around fire hydrants.

Prevent Holiday Thefts

As the holidays approach, the Middlesex Police Department reminds residents to be extra careful and extra alert and to take measures to reduce opportunities for thieves. Avoid storing valuable items in vehicles. If you must store items in your vehicle, make sure that they are hidden from prying eyes and that the vehicle’s doors are locked when it is unattended.

If you shop online, coordinate the delivery of packages for times when someone can be at home to accept them. You can also have packages delivered to your place of work or to a trusted neighbor. Take measures to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Be a good neighbor and keep an eye out for others, too. And, as always, promptly report any and all suspicious persons and suspicious activity to the Middlesex Police.

Closures of Schools and Government Buildings

From time to time, circumstances necessitate the closure of schools and/or government buildings. Stay informed about closures and adjusted hours of operation.

For school information, subscribe to Honeywell Instant Alert for Schools. Visit the Middlesex School District’s website for details.

For information about borough government buildings and/or borough services, watch for alerts on the Borough’s website.

Beware of Scammers!

Scam activity is not affected by seasonal influences. Scammers know no boundaries. Fraudsters are relentless and are growing increasingly resourceful in the tactics that they employ. To avoid becoming a victim, please educate yourself on the scams that are currently the most popular:

Romance Scam

The Romance Scam is becoming more and more prevalent. The victim is contacted on a dating application or website. The scammer, who often pretends to be serving in the military, fakes romantic interest in the victim and typically offers to pay off any debt that the victim may have. After the scammer tricks the victim into thinking that their debt has been paid off (it has not!), they will convince the victim to purchase large quantities of gifts cards and to send photographs containing the gift card numbers. After receiving the photographs, the suspect quickly activates and takes control of the funds on the cards.

Social Security Administration Scam

Callers claiming to be affiliated with the Social Security Administration contact their victims by telephone and inform them that their personal information has been compromised. The scammers will then convince victims to purchase gift cards or to make wire transfers to help “secure” their financial assets. Similar scams exist involving individuals pretending to be associated with the IRS and with PSE&G.

Employment Scam

This scam begins with fraudsters reaching out to victims online who are seeking employment. After exchanging email correspondence, the scammer will tell the victim that they have been hired. The “company” will then send the victim checks, which they are instructed to deposit in their personal accounts. The victim is then told to use those funds to purchase equipment for their new position. In return, the scammer convinces the victim to send them wire transfers and/or mail them money orders. After doing so, the victim learns that the checks they received and deposited were fraudulent.

Bail Money/Kidnapping Scam

This type of scammer contacts their victims by telephone and pretends that a relative has been arrested or kidnapped. The scammer then convinces the victim to send bail or ransom money, usually by wire transfer, to secure their release.

Online Marketplace Scam

EBay, Craigslist, Letgo, etc. are convenient and easy to use but offer unlimited possibilities to aspiring scammers. As you may have noticed, scammers typically request unusual methods of payment, such as gift cards and wire transfers. The online marketplace is no exception.

Please be wary when engaging with strangers online or over the telephone. Someone that you have never met in person but is seeking to send or receive money should not be trusted. The identity of anyone calling you claiming to be associated with a law enforcement, government, utilities company or civic organization can and should be verified.

This is not an all-inclusive list. If you are contacted by anyone that you suspect might be a scammer, we urge you to immediately contact the Middlesex Police Department

This Winter, the Middlesex Borough Police Humane Law Enforcement Officers Remind You to Not Forget About Your Pets!

  • If possible, bring pets indoors.

  • If it’s not possible to bring them indoors, make sure that they have a dry enclosure with bedding on the floor.

  • Position the enclosure so that the opening is not facing into the wind and, if possible, cover the opening.

  • Make sure that pets have sufficient food and water available.

  • Increase the food amount for pets kept outdoors to maintain their energy and fur health.

  • Make sure that their water doesn’t freeze.

  • Salt and other chemicals used to melt ice can irritate a pet’s paw. Wipe paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them.

  • Antifreeze is a deadly poison. Promptly wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach.

  • Wipe off your pet’s paws, legs and underside to remove harmful de-icing chemicals.

  • Check paws frequently for signs of cold weather injury or damage.

Nixle Community Notifications and Alerts

Residents are urged to sign up to receive Nixle Alerts and Messages. Nixle allows the Police Department to send important, valuable community information directly to residents using the latest technology. Messages will be delivered by email, SMS/text message (cell phone), and over the World Wide Web. Notifications may include crime related alerts, traffic advisories and other relevant safety and community event information. Nixle also enables citizens to submit anonymous tips to the police department to aid in crime fighting efforts. To learn more about Nixle and to sign up, please visit our web site at www.middlesexpd.com.

Report a Traffic Safety Concern

We ask that you support our Safe Roads Initiative by obeying all traffic laws at all times. Please report any non-emergency traffic concerns to:

We’re your Middlesex Borough Police Department!

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Scott - Positive Solutions