Full Notification

As the holidays are approaching, please take a few moments and ensure that you are keeping yourself, your family, and your property safe.  All of us are out shopping for gifts - criminals go shopping too.  The difference is that they are shopping at your home, your car, and helping themselves to your things.  However, we can prevent many of these crimes by doing the following:

• Always keep the doors and windows of both your car and house closed and locked.  Set alarms and ensure any security cameras are working.
• Don't leave valuables in your parked vehicle.  Remember that people may be watching a parking lot, so place any valuables in the trunk BEFORE you arrive at your destination.
• Report suspicious persons to the Police Department.  Be able to tell the dispatcher what the person(s) look like and what they are doing that is suspicious.
• If you are leaving on vacation, please take advantage of the Moraga Police Department Vacation Watch program.  Ensure that your trusted neighbors know that you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye on things too.  Leave lights on, using timers, so it appears that someone is home.  Ensure that alarms are set.  Call the Moraga Police if you see something suspicious on your cameras.

Also, be aware of scams that are proliferating throughout our communities.  PG&E will not call you, threaten to turn off the power, demand money on the phone, and want you to pay in gift cards.  It is not really your grandchild who is calling to ask for help because they are in jail or the hospital.  Federal agents or bank examiners will not seek your assistance to investigate fraud, requiring you to withdraw large amounts of money.  No, you did not just win a car and need to pay fees and taxes to have it delivered.  Our residents have been victimized by all of these fraudulent scams, costing people thousands of dollars.  If you receive one of these calls and are questioning the validity of it, please call the Moraga Police.

Lastly, many of us will be attending social gatherings over the next few weeks.  Please ensure that you are not drinking (or using other substances) and driving.  Use Uber, Lyft, or a sober friend to get home safely.  Last year, CHP reported making nearly 1000 DUI arrests and responding to 20 fatal crashes during the holiday period.  Do not become one of these statistics!

The Town offices will be closed from December 20th and reopen January 6th.  However, Moraga Police officers are on duty, protecting our Town 24/7.  If you need assistance, please call Dispatch at 925-284-5010.  There is also a direct dial phone at the Town Hall entrance.  An officer can be dispatched to assist you.  For Emergencies, please Dial 9-1-1.

The Moraga Police Department extends its best wishes to all of you for a safe and happy holiday season.  Thank you for your support and for helping us to keep Moraga a safe community.