MILLTOWN — Bringing stores like Target and Home Depot into the borough may have helped boost the economy, but it may have also helped boost crime.
The State Police Uniform Crime Report tracked a 107.14 percent growth in reported burglaries between 1998-99, resulting in a 38.09 percent increase over 15 years.
The number of reported larcenies increased 28.57 percent this year, or 88.37 percent since 1985.
"It’s no real surprise that these numbers have gone up since the new mall opened," said Police Chief Raymond Geipel. "In fact, increases in crimes such as shoplifting can pretty much be expected."
In an effort to keep these crimes at a minimum, Geipel said the police department has applied for grants to help fund the hiring of additional officers.
There are currently 13 active and one inactive officer on the force.
"We will do our best to keep patrol numbers up and make our officers more aware of what, where and when things are happening," Geipel said.
Additionally, Geipel maintains that the police department has a good relationship with security guards in the shopping center and they will continue to explore added safety measures together.
"There is a small police office located inside Target, which serves as added protection," Geipel said. "Maybe we need more of those so that thieves are aware that police are never far away."
For now, as the department awaits word on grant assistance, the officers will have to remain on the defensive at all times.
And with more stores still to come in the plaza, this could be tougher than it sounds.
"I’m confident in the abilities of this squad," Geipel said. "The increase in crime is associated primarily with the stores and does not directly affect the safety of residents here."
Geipel also pointed out that the entire county had a significant problem with "smash and grab" burglaries earlier in the year, in which thieves would break [convenience] store windows and be in and out with merchandise or cash in less than a minute.
"This had to affect the [Middlesex County] communities’ numbers to some degree," he added. — Nicole C. Vaccaro

