Barnegat Cops: Learn How To Set Up Your Own Neighborhood Watch

BARNEGAT, NJ - If you're interested in establishing a neighborhood crime watch in your area of the township, the Barnegat Police Department will be happy to show you how.

The department will hold an informational session at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the Brackman Middle School, according to the police department's Facebook page.

You can learn about setting up a new watch or joining an existing watch.

"For new watches, we will be looking for volunteers to be coordinators and block captains," the post states.

Anyone is welcome to attend, but police are hoping that potential coordinators from the Pebble Beach, Timbers, Ocean Acres and Windward sections of the township will attend.

The Neighborhood Watch program can be traced all the way back to colonial times, when night watchmen patrolled the streets, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.

"The modern version of Neighborhood Watch was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs who were looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens and address an increasing number of burglaries," according to the NCPC website. "Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night."

The Brackman School is located at 600 Barnegat Boulevard North.

Logo: National Crime Prevention Council