Lower Nazareth Neighborhood Crime Watch Looks Out for "Crime Around the Corner"

Until something happens, people don't worry too much about crime in their neighborhoods, according to Joseph Fresco, founder of the Lower Nazareth Neighborhood Crime Watch.

A Lower Nazareth Township resident, Fresco is also a retired federal law enforcement official. Currently, he is contracted with a federal narcotics intelligence unit in New Jersey.

Fresco said that he created the neighborhood crime watch, because "it's not so much that we have a low crime rate. It's the crime around the corner. I see the whole picture and it's not nice."

The crime watch has been up and running for two years now. Fresco said the group posts all new information on its web site: www.lowernazarethcrimewatch.com. Every other month, the group meets with a police officer to discuss any offenses in Lower Nazareth. The results of their meetings are posted on the site, Fresco said.

In addition to monitoring crime, the group is also working on projects such as crime watch signs for neighborhoods and safe houses where children can go if they are being followed or threatened, he said.

The group is also considering a decal program for residents of Lower Nazareth. Fresco said the decals would go on neighbors' cars to distinguish them from cars that do not reside at those homes. At the top of their "To Do" list is planning for an information event possibly in conjunction with another community, Fresco said.

"[Preventing] crime has to begin with the kids and education," added Fresco. "[Crime] does leach into the suburban areas and schools."

Robert Merchant, deputy officer of the crime watch, said, "We want parents to know what to watch for too."

The next Lower Nazareth Crime Watch meeting will be held in February at the .