Message from Deputy Mayor Ellen Zimmerman | February 23, 2024
As a resident of Scotch Plains for the past 25 years, I am proud of the power of our community. I have found comfort in knowing my neighbors will always look out for my family, as I will always look out for theirs.
As Police Chief Jeff Briel wrote in his January 11 message in the Messenger, “We are very fortunate that Scotch Plains does not have a local crime problem. But we are not always immune to factors outside of our control.”
I commend Chief Briel and the police department for recognizing the importance of our tight knit community and helping to raise community awareness surrounding our ongoing Neighborhood Watch program.
With the support of our police officers, residents can learn how to organize their own Neighborhood Watch programs, with a focus on collective vigilance and building trusting relationships. The importance cannot be overstated; these volunteer groups go far beyond deterring crime. They use this opportunity to check in on neighbors, especially those who may be elderly or frail, and ensure everything is “ok.”
At their core, the Neighborhood Watch programs function in Scotch Plains as a local network of “watchful eyes.” By educating residents about suspicious activity and fostering further communication with the Scotch Plains Police Department, these programs create a climate in which criminals feel observed and discouraged.
Local law enforcement point to studies that show a direct correlation between active Neighborhood Watch programs and reduced crime rates related to car thefts, property damage, burglaries and even violent offenses. This deterrent translates into tangible benefits for us all, offering peace of mind and fostering a further sense of security within our safe town.
And if you are anything like me, it is that security that drew me to Scotch Plains in the first place.
Through these programs, neighbors get to know one another, share concerns, and work together towards common goals, such as creating our own street-by-street safety nets that extend beyond law enforcement. This program has organically extended into organizing local block parties, more participation in National Night Out each August or simply exchanging more friendly greetings when out walking dogs.
We have also seen Neighborhood Watch groups change with the times. They are now using technology through secure online platforms and social media groups to improve communication with fellow residents in order to reach a wider audience across neighborhoods.
Are you interested in making your neighborhood even safer? Consider partnering with the Scotch Plains Police Department. To learn more, contact Sgt. Jason Everitt at 908-322-7100 ext. 113. He is eager to speak with you.
Organizing a Neighborhood Watch – or joining one that already exists – gives you the opportunity to meet with our police officers to discuss crime trends and prevention methods, along with identifying crime-fighting resources that are available.
Moreover, you can learn about Union County’s First Alert program, a free service that provides instant text notifications about emergencies. The more Scotch Plains residents who sign up, the stronger our network will be. Please register at the top of the home page of the municipal website – scotchplainsnj.gov.
Let’s embrace this collaborative spirit to build stronger neighborhoods, one vigilant eye at a time.
