Area October 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Churches use Crop Walk to take stand against hunger Area churches participated in the annual First Presbyterian Church’s Crop Walk. The two-mile walk through town brought out many walkers and four dogs, and raised $2,500. One fourth of the money will go to the Center for Food Action in Mahwah and the rest will go to disaster hit areas around the world. Top left: Congregation members and Rev. Bruce Bassett from Allendale’s Calvary Lutheran Church. Top right: Registering are Barbara Hendricks and Susan Keller from the Saddle River Reformed Church. Below: Registrars Bonnie Van Heest and Kaethe Klein sign up Donna Henderson from Highlands Church of Allendale. Police seek residents’ aid (continued from page 6) Pattman pointed out that, when Daylight Savings Time ends, residents should remember to reset the timers on the lights in their homes. In order to make a home look occupied, residents should leave interior and exterior lights on, collect mail and papers from the front of the house, ask a neighbor to pick up any packages that might be delivered during the day, leave lights on in the second floor windows, and leave a radio playing. “We urge people to call to report any suspicious vehicles, and to try to get license plate numbers, and a description of the people and vehicles,” Pattman added. During the upcoming holiday season, the days are the shortest and darkest of the year, and many people leave their homes to visit with friends and family members and to attend parties. At this time of year, residents also tend to keep more cash in their homes, and there are presents on hand for the December holidays. However, since Pattman and Sergeant Christopher Minchin started the reminder program in 2003, burglary activity in Ho-Ho-Kus during this period has declined. Various burglary rings that employ different methods crop up and disband over time. Several years ago, a group that had been operating out of Teaneck was using “luxury” cars with hidden compartments to hide stolen items. This group was known for ringing the doorbell of a home presumed to be unoccupied and then breaking down the door to gain access to the residence. For additional information, or to report suspicious activity, Ho-Ho-Kus residents may call police headquarters at (201) 652-1700. J. CRUSCO