(Courtesy of BC Shomrim) Bergen County Shomrim Watch, a new community initiative, is set to launch in Bergen County. Initially, the Shomrim initiative will focus on Teaneck, expanding to surrounding towns as it matures and grows. Inspired by other successful neighborhood watch programs, it has developed robust protocols, organizational methods, and operational guides to enhance the community’s safety.
Recognizing the challenges of our times, particularly for the Jewish community, Shomrim is expanding existing community-based safety and security measures from schools and houses of worship to include a broader neighborhood watch program. This initiative aims to help protect families, neighbors, recreational areas and bordering communities.
Working in close collaboration with local police and law enforcement, Shomrim will ensure all of its protocols and procedures comply with state and local regulations. Bergen County Shomrim, based upon the National Neighborhood Watch program, will require all members to complete nationally recognized incident management training
Its leadership team consists of highly experienced individuals trained by top professionals from various facets of government, law enforcement, and Jewish communal organizations. They are skilled in maintaining vigilance, identifying potential issues, reporting of criminal and bias incidents, and deterring potential threats.
Bergen County Shomrim will consist of local community members, vetted through a stringent process, which will include robust training to ensure adherence to its protocols and methodologies.
Bergen County Shomrim will initially launch with car patrols of Jewish shopping areas, facilities, and residential communities. In the near future, it will expand to include car patrols (non-Jewish) for Shabbos/Yom Tov and a search & rescue program.
The community will continue to be expected to call 911 for police and ambulance services, while Shomrim’s teams will serve as additional eyes and ears for law enforcement. It is not a replacement for existing law enforcement, nor will its members engage with people on the street. Shomrim will complement law enforcement with knowledgeable and experienced personnel, trained to work alongside its trusted security partners.
In the coming weeks, more information about training and safety programs will be forthcoming. The goal is to build a safer and more harmonious neighborhood for all.
If you are interested in finding out more, please visit www.bergenshomrim.org or reach out at [email protected].
