Here is a brief update on the meeting on setting up the Neighborhood
Crime Watch Patrol (NCWP).
The meeting was attended by about 10 members of COBNJ. For the Old
Bridge Township- the Mayor, Mr. James Phillip, the council chair, Mr.
Kevin Collegera and Police Sargent Robert Greenway attended. Sgt.
Greenway explained the way the NCWP work and the steps we need to take
to get it up and running. Here is the summary of the steps needed:
1. The 10 residents who attended can form the core group to cover the
areas around Trans-Old Bridge Road.
2. Distribute fliers to all homes in the area announcing the formation
of the NCWP and solicit those who are interested to be part of it to
join.
3. The requirements to join NCWP are that they have to be residents,
willing to volunteer few hours every week as schedule permits to drive
around the neighborhood and report any suspicious activity.
4. Once we get a group of around 20 to 25 we can allocate teams of 2
to patrol each neighborhood.
5. The Patrol can be done by car or foot and generally is done between
6 and 10 PM.
6. The organizational structure is simple with one Group Leader, who
will be the liaison with the Police Dept and each neighborhood having
a Team Leader who sets and monitors the patrol schedule. They meet one
every month to discuss plans and share updates.
7. Sgt Greenway recommended that the NCWP obtain LOGO and SIGNS that
will alter people about the group and deter crime.
8. All members of the NCWP are recommended to also join the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) and undergo the basic emergency
response training coming this fall. Application for the same are
available with COBNJ members or with the Police Department
COBNJ members who attended have all agreed to implement the steps
above over the next 10 days and get the NCWP started at the earliest
Please contact us if you have any questions or wish to join this
program.
Thanks for your support!
Suresh Kumar
Citizens of Old Bridge, NJ