I saw one or two about three years ago in West Orange, before we moved. They were rather small, scruffy things, compared with the ones I have seen in New England. Those are animals to reckon with!
I saw either a small coyote or big fox picking up some road kill on Milburn Ave right before Trader Joes. It was dark and it ran off so I did not get a good look, but I could tell it was not a dog.
This NYT article about coyotes moving into suburbs reminded me that one was spotted near Parker Ave some time ago.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/24/nyregion/coyotes-create-dangers-and-divisions-in-new-york-suburbs.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Have there been other recent sightings in Maplewood/South Orange area?