October 28
...serving up your daily dish.
If you've driven by the Halloween-bedecked Dentist's office on Grove Street (near Route 3, in Clifton) today, you might be wondering if the huge "ROBBERY HERE CANCELS HALLOWEEN" signs are part of the hoax, as we did.
Sadly, they're for real - vandals stole over 20 of the figures (worth an unsubstantiated $75,000 but might that be a tad exaggerated?). Ironically, that house was on the Clifton Police Department's "Frequent Watch" list, but this, and despite the fact that a neighbor put numerous calls in the the police, did not stop the thugs from grabbing those bloody mannequins, headless brides and skeletons.
The vandals/thieves don't know that the figures are cursed. They will all suffer greatly.
Posted by: Dogbert | Oct 28, 2005 3:00:41 PM
Anyone point out to the dentist that putting $75k worth of anything on their front lawn is not a very smart thing to do?
Posted by: State Street Pete | Oct 28, 2005 3:09:57 PM
Now here's a case where the inflatable deorations could have come in handy. They certainly don't cost $75,000!
Posted by: Dana | Oct 28, 2005 3:37:00 PM
this really sucks, these people spend months decorating their home/office for Halloween and Christmas. I drove by the back of the sign this morning and thought the display was seriously diminished. I made a mental note to see what the sign said on the way back, but I went a different way.
I've seen these folks outside working on setting things up, they seem to have been having a great time. I am sure many people found a great deal of joy in what they created.
20 figures seems a bit conservative. This property was loaded with decorations and it now seems barren.
Hopefully, the thieves will find it in themselves to bring everything back.
Posted by: Kevin Lee Allen | Oct 28, 2005 4:07:12 PM
"Hopefully, the thieves will find it in themselves to bring everything back."
I wouldn't hold my breath. A leopard cannot change its spots.
Posted by: Miss Martta | Oct 28, 2005 4:12:52 PM
"Hopefully, the thieves will find it in themselves to bring everything back."
I wouldn't hold my breath. A leopard cannot change its spots.
Posted by: Miss Martta | Oct 28, 2005 4:13:42 PM
Ah...where's Dr. Seuss when we need him? The Grinch that Stole Halloween. Hopefully, Little Cindy Lou Who will still trick or treat at "The Dentists" house...I know I'll bring my kids by...
Can't you just see it...holding hands while singing Halloween carols...the thieves in the distance watching, confused.
While I know I wouldn't want to live next door to such a house, the kids sure loved the decorations and a big part of me hopes they still do Christmas and return for Halloweed next year.
Because the spirit of Halloween lives on inside each of us...
Posted by: Bruce Maguire | Oct 28, 2005 4:22:08 PM
Considering that the place is swarming with people 24/7, amazed someone pulled it off.
Very unfortunate, but did anyone notice that this years' presentation was considerably darker that in years past? A baby in a cage being attacked by a large rodent? Babies and small kids covered in blood. Although my kids liked it, or course I was hearing about it in the middle of the night. I personally think he went pretty overboard this year.
Posted by: montclair_is_crazy | Oct 28, 2005 5:34:52 PM
No matter the taste (or lack thereof) of the decorations, it's still wrong to steal things from other people. We have a truly tacky neighbor whose decorations are changed for every single darn holiday, but regardless of the fact that I abhor the front yard decor, I'd still take his side over a vandal's any day.
Posted by: Alison Meyer | Oct 28, 2005 6:50:05 PM
i would be checking on nearby campus frat/soriety houses since this is a hazing time-oh that's right no one hazes anymore since they signed a contract with the college admin's that says they won't-
anyway it is pathetic that anyone would go onto someone's property and take a single thing--it's sad when someone tries to bring joy to some- and their act of kindness is repaid by thievery-it is a disgrace.
Posted by: cstarling | Oct 28, 2005 8:12:46 PM
This is truly terrible. We moved to Montclair a bit over a year ago...and this was one of the many treasures we found here. We valued their spirit during each Holiday...and it always made a trip back and forth from the City extra fun. Has there been any thought to a collection so this can continue?
Posted by: Matt and Laura | Oct 28, 2005 8:14:23 PM
It is , truely, a sad Halloween. Someone stole the spider out of the web, my daughter and her friends decorated. Tears were shed.
Posted by: PAZzacherly | Oct 28, 2005 10:06:19 PM
see the sad part is in some people eyes that is a prank-it is Not it is trespassing and stealing--and it hurts the children and adults who enjoy doing it for others enjoyment--it si sad and children should be taught not to disturb or vandalize others property-pumkins included-it is destructive.
Posted by: cstarling | Oct 28, 2005 10:10:30 PM
This stuff really does make me sick to my stomach. Such a kind act to decorate and bring joy to so many kids and adults, only to be repaid with such a senseless crime. I hope that these kids will one day see the hurt that they have caused, not only to the dentist, but to all of the children who will miss out on such an awesome display.
Posted by: Erin | Oct 28, 2005 11:32:45 PM
Oh that is so awful! I live very close by there and thought how cool it was for this dentist to put out such a great display. I was even considering having him as my dentist because I love Halloween and thought he must be really into the holiday (well then again he is a dentist, it must be their favorite time for cavitities).
Karen
Posted by: Karen | Oct 29, 2005 12:08:31 AM
THAT'S NO SURPRISE TO ME, THE CLIFTON POLICE DEPT. IS STILL TRYING TO SOLVE THEIR FIRST MURDER CASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU WOULD DO BETTER IF YOU CALLED THE CLIFTON FIRE DEPT TO INVESTIGATE AND SOLVE THE CRIME THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: HOWIE KAHN | Oct 29, 2005 2:52:39 AM
This is sad! And, you know these thieves didn't steal the statues to use in their own lawns. No, they stole it merely out of meanness and probably to degrade or destroy them.
I had a friend in VaBeach who had MDS and so his family began a tradition of being really extravagant with their christmas lighting. It was the thing that made Jamie happiest and given that they knew his life would be short, they wanted to do all they could. They spent 3 months setting up their display and it was worth tens of thousands.
Posted by: butchcjg | Oct 29, 2005 12:15:18 PM
Sucks? Yes. Sad? No. Nobody got hurt. We are not talking grand larceny here just petty thief. Perspective people.
Posted by: lasermike026 | Oct 29, 2005 1:17:42 PM
Sad, but no surprise, in this world today.
A few years ago in my town, someone stole the American flag from a front porch shortly before the 4th of July. The local weekly ran a story; this was the flag that had covered the coffin of the homeowners' son when it was returned from Vietnam, and they'd flown it every 4th of July since to honor his memory.
The day after the issue was published, the flag was placed, needly folded, on the porch where it belonged.
I remember this story whenever I'm tempted to go on a tear about today's kids. There's always some hope.
Posted by: crank | Oct 29, 2005 1:18:16 PM
"They spent 3 months setting up their display and it was worth tens of thousands" - no this... this is sad. 10,000 friggin dollars. Go buy a muni bond. Invest in something. Go on vacation! It's like investing in yourself.
Posted by: lasermike026 | Oct 29, 2005 1:20:58 PM
Perspective my ass! This is a case of someone trespassing, stealing another person's property, invading their personal space. Condoning such behavior by saying nobody got hurt is plainly ludicrous. Plenty of people got hurt: the dentist who invested plenty of time and money, the people who helped decorate, the people who drove by and enjoyed the display. Our sense of security and our faith in our fellow human beings is severely compomised here. Does someone have to be hurt before it gets a rise out of some people? What if it was your display lasermike? Would you be passing it off then as a harmless prank? I bet not.
Posted by: DS | Oct 29, 2005 1:30:41 PM
lasermike- it's the point-
your concern about the environment is worthy yet you couldn't care less about you "neighbors" property-you amaze me-\perspective ...
if your a thief at 17 or 18 your a thief later in life-so then it is no surprise than when your politicians or your politicians children are thieves-
if you have no respect for others property you won't respect anything including the enviornment--
respect for other people's property regardless-
maybe it isn't one of your noble causes...
and by the way the theives broke numerous laws (if the amount is right it is a third degree crime)-and left behind numerous "broken hearts".
Posted by: cstarling | Oct 29, 2005 1:36:00 PM
First, I'm not condoning jack. Second, I like decorations and I think be festive is great. If it was my place, I would be pissed. What really pisses me off is McGruff wannabe's going mental. Not to many people here know about the real crime that occurs in New Jersey. I don't any one here has even looked at the FBI's crime index report.
I can only interpret a strong anti-crime stance as thinly veiled racistism and bigotry.
Also, major on the majors and minor on the minors. This not a big crime. One car theft might be a greater loss that the crime that took place here. How many car thefts happen in NJ?
Posted by: lasermike026 | Oct 29, 2005 1:44:15 PM
