Neighborhood Watch
The Chatham Township Police Department recognizes that community participation in crime prevention programs is essential to maintaining the quality of life our residents have come to enjoy. As the police department looks to build upon its “Community Policing” initiative, we remain committed to strengthening the police-citizen partnership.
The “Neighborhood Watch” program embraces this philosophy and encourages this exact partnership between the police and the residents we serve. It is a program of neighbors watching out for other neighbors, particularly during times when criminal activity would most likely occur. As a member of a Neighborhood Watch group, you would become an extra “eyes and ears” of the police department and alert us to suspicious or criminal activity. Also, as a part of Neighborhood Watch, citizen groups determine specific needs or problems within their neighborhoods and then share this information with their local Community Policing Officer. The Officer then acts on this information and reports back to the group on his or her progress.
The Chatham Township Police Department is eager to get this program started and hope that you will share in our excitement by starting, or becoming involved in a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood!
What is “NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH”?
A Neighborhood Watch program is a group of people living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together and with local law enforcement in order to reduce crime and to improve their quality of life. A Neighborhood Watch group will have periodic meetings to plan how they will accomplish their specific goals. Neighborhood Watch groups have designated leaders and assigned responsibilities.
Neighborhood Watch is Homeland Security at the most local level. It is an opportunity to volunteer and work towards the safety and security of our homes and our homeland. Neighborhood Watch empowers citizens and communities to become active in emergency preparedness, as well as in the fight against crime and domestic terrorism.
Neighborhood Watch groups allow neighbors to get to know one another and watch out for each other, which improves home and neighborhood security and safety.
Watch programs teach people to be observant and how to report suspicious activities and individuals to local law enforcement, and educate children on prevention and safety.
Neighborhood Watch program does not allow members to apprehend, investigate, or intervene in a criminal incident.
Often watch members feel safer and more secure because many people are watching out for them, not just the police department. Watch members can be proud because they are making a difference in their own community by preventing crime and protecting property and lives.
Neighborhood Watch programs offer many community benefits, including a greater sense of security, responsibility, and personal control. Neighborhood Watch groups build community pride and unity, and prepare us for helping ourselves and others in our community.
Neighborhood Watch groups provide law enforcement agencies with volunteer support year-round. The citizens become extra “eyes and ears” of law enforcement personnel and therefore reduce the Law Enforcement‘s burden.
Members of Neighborhood Watch groups are often well trained, better informed, and better prepared to take care of themselves and their neighborhoods.
NeighborHood Watch Contact
If you or someone you know may be interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program or want more information, please contact Officer Michael Bloom of the Chatham Township Police Department’s Community Policing Unit at (973) 377-0100 ext. 551 or at mbloom@ctpd.net.
