The Newark Police Division has initiated a Neighborhood Block Watch Recruitment Drive and is in the process of re-establishing block watch groups or forming new Block Watch groups.
The groups, commonly referred to as the Neighborhood Watch Groups, consist of concerned residents who, in cooperation with the Newark Police Division, directly participate in the detection and prevention of crime.
The program is not made up of vigilantes or people taking the law into their own hands. The program does not allow citizens taking the place of the police in enforcing laws, patrolling neighborhoods, or apprehending criminals.
The program provides training to involved citizens on how to recognize suspicious or criminal activity and report these activities, often discreetly, to the police. The program assists residents in the formation of Neighborhood Watch groups.
These groups keep themselves informed about their neighborhood and any suspicious, criminal, or dangerous activity or conditions that may be occurring.
Citizens, keeping any eye on their neighborhoods, can often provide the police with valuable information that will help the police investigate suspicious activities, apprehend criminals, and prevent crime. This program will help make your community a better and safer place to live and enjoy.
The neighborhood block watch training sessions last approximately an hour and consist of a power point presentation. The training is scheduled after a new group has been established or if an existing group requires retraining.
Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said, “It is important to understand that all police departments have limited resources and manpower. The Block Watch groups provide “eyes and ears” to the police department which keeps the criminal off guard. As a result, the criminal has to watch out for not only the police, but also an entire community on the lookout for any criminal or suspicious activity.”
If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating in this program or forming a Block Watch Group, please contact Community Relations at (973) 877- 9550 or send an email to FebusD@CI.Newark.NJ.US.