What's the danger tonight?

https://villagegreennj.com/police-and-fire/maplewood-police-working-with-county-prosecutor-on-active-investigation-warn-residents-not-to-open-doors-to-strangers/

Over in the lounge, they are discussing 'an incident' which took place several hours before that message was sent. 'Not a homicide,' it's said. 

I wish the town would provide us with some information as to the nature of the danger.  Not knowing what to do to stay safe apart from hunkering down at home and not opening the door to anyone is especially troubling.

Yes, so with all the rumor mongering, at least they've ruled out one type of crime.  https://villagegreennj.com/police-and-fire/maplewood-police-working-with-county-prosecutor-on-active-investigation-warn-residents-not-to-open-doors-to-strangers/

There is nothing about this on the Maplewood Police web site. If we got this notice in a email why is there nothing about this on the website.  

The Village Green site seems to be behind a paywall. If this is a public safety issue then could someone please cut and paste the article here so everyone can see the pertinent information 

Thanks

it's on the township website, but it's fairly vague.

https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/home/news/maplewood-police-department-conjunction-essex-county-prosecutor%E2%80%99s-office-conducting

I am able to click around the subscription Banner popup on the Village Green website. On my phone there is a little arrow icon in the upper-right of the pop up which allows me to then go on to the site.

Here in SO there has been no notification. Good thing we built that impermeable wall at the city limits. 

Maplewood Patch

https://tinyurl.com/y8s9l9pn

MAPLEWOOD POLICE ENGAGED IN 'ACTIVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION'

Police Chief Jim DeVaul Said there will be an increased police presence until further notice.

By Russ Crespolini | Oct 16, 2018 10:06 pm ET | Updated Oct 17, 2018 7:34 am ET

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - An active criminal investigation was launched Tuesday night in Maplewood prompting an increased police presence, according to Chief of Police Jim DeVaul .

According to DeVaul his department was working in tandem with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and while the investigation was "active" no further information was being released. Essex County Prosecutor spokesperson Katherine Carter confirmed to Patch that her office was involved.

"I can confirm that we have an active investigation in Maplewood but I don't have any details yet," Carter said.

DeVaul said residents should call 911 if they see a suspicious person, vehicle or activity. DeVaul said residents should be wary of their surroundings, especially when walking alone, and not to share personal information with strangers.

"Do not open your door to strangers, talk through an open window if you have to," DeVaul said. "And call 911 if you are being followed.

DeVaul asked parents to have a discussion with their children on safety.

"Until further notice the Maplewood Police will have additional personnel assigned to ensure the safety of our community," DeVaul said. "Maplewood will provide a minimum of daily updates in the investigation as it proceeds and as information becomes available."

Patch will be following this story and updating it as details come in.

rlsmedia.com:  Increased Police Presence in Maplewood 

https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/increased-police-presence-maplewood-neighborhood-police-essex-prosecutor-investigate

Authorities in Maplewood has urged residents in and around the township to lock their doors and report any suspicious activities and people to police as they team up with detectives from The Essex County Prosecutor's Office in an investigation into an incident that law enforcement officials released very little information on due to the early stages of the investigation.

Residents told RLS Metro Breaking News that the incident reportedly involved -some type of- home burglary or invasion that involved a child, but they would not release a location of the incident or if there were any severe injuries reported.

According to an official statement released by Maplewood Chief Devaul, he advised residents "Do not open your doors to strangers and to talk to strangers through a window -if you need to- then dial 911".

A spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office would only confirm an incident and stated it is in its early stages and more information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Traveling around Maplewood, there was an increased police presence as units on walking patrol and moving in vehicle canvassed several neighborhoods to provide a sense of security for residents.

We will update this story as soon as additional information becomes available.

I wish they'd give out a little more detail. 

hearing it was a break in sexual assault.  all hearsay at this point though. 

this is all really disturbing, and the fact that we now have rumors floating around makes it even more so.

The Ring doorbell is starting to look better and better.

I agree it's frustrating to not have more detail, but I think it's useful for the MPD to say "you need to be more vigilent." There are still police blotter reports reporting break-ins where the person just slipped into an unlocked window or door. People see something suspicious and post on Facebook, "Do you think I should call the police?" (And many people respond, no.)

And frankly, what do people do when they hear that someone has been injured? They post, "I hope s/he'll be okay!" which really doesn't help anybody.

There is a new thread on what happened.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Maplewood-Sex-Attack-497829701.html

I don't understand why the police didn't say that in the first place.  I'm sure they have their reasons, but I don't know what they might be.

A description would help too.

Where did this occur?

read earlier there was another thwarted attack this past Friday on Suffolk.  Not known if related.

mem said:
A description would help too.

 Not sure if you mean a description of the suspect, but if so, YES!  Why not get out a sketch ASAP?  I'm starting to think this is like Keystone Kops here...

The general area would help as well. 

College Hill

xnyr said:
College Hill

 I heard it was elsewhere but close by.

This is a horrible situation. It would be helpful if there was more information. 

Is it possible that the victim is too traumatized at the moment to even give a basic description?  

spontaneous said:
Is it possible that the victim is too traumatized at the moment to even give a basic description?  

 I'm wondering the same thing. Whatever details she might be able to provide could be non-specific enough that releasing the description would be more harmful than anything.

I'm just struck by this era of phone video and social media, with such instant information, our police and communities don't have a more robust means of communications....  Hard issues.

Best Regards,

Ron Carter

rcarter31 said:
I'm just struck by this era of phone video and social media, with such instant information, our police and communities don't have a more robust means of communications....  Hard issues.
Best Regards,
Ron Carter

 The whole unfolding of events is somewhat bizarre.  The attack was at 11:30 AM and also seemed to be very targeted by the news reports (the poor victim was followed home).  Then nearly 10 hours later the MPD issue the alert / email to all residents implying there is some sort of trend of serial home invasions happening?

Its all over the news. What's the silence about? Seems a woman was followed last Friday and was attacked, but managed to fight him off. The attacker is described as being a teenager. We can debate politics for days on end, but something as serious as this......and it's oh....what series should I watch next....or some silly word associated game.... you tell people to lock the door and that's it? Really?