MORRIS COUNTY — The Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation has started mailing applications for the 2023 Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement program. This year’s program has significantly expanded, with the income eligibility limit substantially increasing and residency requirements simplified for new applicants.

The Senior Freeze program aims to reimburse qualifying seniors and disabled residents for rises in property taxes or mobile home park site fees on their principal residences.

Legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Phil Murphy as part of the Governor’s FY23 budget proposal has widened the program’s scope. This includes increasing the income limit to $150,000 (previously $99,735 for 2022) and eliminating the 10-year New Jersey residency requirement.

Applications for the 2023 program must be filed by October 31, 2024.

State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio stated, “With Senior Freeze, senior and disabled residents can choose to stay in the communities they call home without worrying about annual property tax increases. This program makes it easier for many seniors living on a fixed income to remain close to their families and friends.”

The Senior Freeze program establishes a base year of eligibility and “freezing” property taxes at that level. The difference is refunded annually by the State.

To qualify, taxpayers must meet specific requirements, including being 65 or older by December 31, 2022, owning and living in their home, and meeting income criteria.

Applications will be mailed to eligible taxpayers’ last known addresses. Those who do not receive a booklet by March 15 should contact the New Jersey Division of Taxation’s Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement Information Line.

Furthermore, residents can apply online through a direct online filing service introduced by the Treasury in 2023.

Treasurer Muoio encourages residents to explore other property tax relief programs available in New Jersey.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, and Morris Plains Police Chief and Morris County Police Chief’s Association President Michael Koroski remind residents always to secure their homes and vehicles.

Coordinated law enforcement efforts have shown great promise, as auto theft in Morris County decreased 27.8% countywide last year compared to the year before, and continued vigilance by our citizens will reduce theft opportunities presented by unsecured homes and vehicles. This contrasts with New Jersey statistics, demonstrating an increased number of stolen vehicles statewide.

The decrease is due in part to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence Unit, Morris County Sheriff’s Trends and Analysis Team (MCSTAT), Morris County Auto Theft Task Force, and our municipal departments remaining focused on combating the trend of organized thieves stealing unlocked vehicles or key fobs in unsecured homes. Some municipal departments dedicate officers voluntarily to the Auto Theft Task Force. These agencies work collaboratively with the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force to target organized criminal auto theft activity.

However, it is important to note that criminals are entering unlocked cars or homes or breaking into residences in search of key fobs and other valuables, escalating the danger of confrontation with homeowners. 

These criminal enterprises operate in a coordinated fashion utilizing “drop cars,” where multiple members are deployed in a neighborhood simultaneously. They canvas for unlocked doors and target luxury brand models. Over the past year, Morris County has seen thieves strike most frequently on weekdays, often during the overnight hours. Hotspot municipalities in the county include Parsippany, Morris Township, Montville, Morristown, Mountain Lakes, and Randolph.

Residents are asked to be mindful when safeguarding their homes and vehicles:

• Ensure all doors, including interior garage doors and windows, are locked.
• Do not leave key fobs in cars, especially since they can be used to access homes.
• Remove delivered packages from porches and in front of your residence quickly.
• Park luxury cars in the garage whenever possible, even during the day.
• Lock vehicles when not in use.
• Keep the exterior of your residence well-lit.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Steering wheel security devices are recommended.
• Review home surveillance recordings regularly and share footage of suspicious activity with local law enforcement.

In recent years, Morris County law enforcement leaders have supported proposed federal and state legislation that would assist law enforcement in combatting vehicle theft.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “Auto theft is a statewide problem we are approaching with a regional strategy in Morris County through coordination, intelligence-sharing, technology, and public awareness. Law enforcement is seeing networks operating in Morris County that employ the use of juveniles to enter cars and homes, knowing criminal penalties are less strict than those for adult defendants. Our goal is to break the chain of conduct being exhibited by juvenile offenders, leading them away from the path of becoming career criminals as adults. At the same time, the MCPO aims to prosecute adult defendants to the fullest extent possible, recognizing that members of these networks pose a risk of reoffence. One such strategy is to petition the court to grant pretrial detention, when appropriate under the Bail Reform Law, which could disrupt their operation. Our federal law enforcement partners have also conveyed that they are targeting the financial incentives that are the driving force behind these vehicle thefts.

I recognize that discovering an intruder in your home is a frightening situation. For your safety, I ask that residents not confront suspected home intruders. Instead, contact your local police immediately.”

Sheriff Gannon said, “Our efforts are working due to partnerships between our residents and the police.  Educating our citizens, proactive, diligent police patrols, and good intelligence-driven detective work are making a difference, but more must be done. Criminals are becoming more aggressive and dangerous.  The safety of our residents is of paramount importance. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office will continue to take care of our duties and responsibilities while collaborating with our law enforcement partners.”

Chief President Koroski said, “The decrease in auto thefts in Morris County is a testament to the work of our municipal law enforcement patrol officers and detectives. The importance of the partnerships in Morris County, led by Prosecutor Carroll, Sheriff Gannon, and the membership of the Morris County Chiefs Association, cannot be understated. Residents can count themselves among that partnership by locking their vehicles and homes and reporting suspicious activity, without delay, to 911.”

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield Police have recently apprehended a second Yonkers individual in connection with an alleged Fairfield chop shop enterprise. (Click here to read a related story)

On Tuesday, January 30, law enforcement executed a raid at Veracity Stone Fabricators, located at 23 Daniel Road in Fairfield, prompted by a tip from a cleaning staff member. Substantial evidence of illicit activity, including stolen and dismantled vehicles, was discovered. Stacy Chiarolanza, the public information officer for the Fairfield Police Department, described the scene, noting several car shells in the parking lot covered with tarps and another vehicle inside the building stripped down entirely.

The seized vehicles, all Honda CRVs, were in the process of being disassembled for illicit sale. Many had their Vehicle Identification Numbers tampered with, indicating efforts to obscure their stolen origins. At least two vehicles had been reported stolen from New York State.

The raid resulted in the immediate arrest of three individuals near the property. Among them was 37-year-old Yonkers resident Edison Cuevas, suspected of playing a significant role, particularly in the vehicle dismantling activities on January 29. Cuevas is currently detained at Essex County jail, facing charges of receiving stolen motor vehicles, operating a facility to sell stolen automobile parts, and conspiracy to operate such a facility, pending his court appearance.

In a separate incident, authorities announced the arrest of another Yonkers resident, Virelsa Guzman, for his alleged involvement in the chop shop operation. Guzman, currently held at Essex County jail awaiting trial, is accused of overseeing the illegal enterprise and car theft, facing similar charges as Cuevas.

The discovery of the illicit chop shop has rattled residents and authorities, with ongoing investigations delving into the extent of the operation and potential links to a broader network. Fairfield Police Officer Chiarolanza expressed concern about the case’s magnitude, suggesting that the investigation only scratches the surface of a potentially larger issue, stating, “This could be big. I don’t know how big it could be, but we’re only at the tip of the iceberg.”