Mike Davis

@byMikeDavis

JACKSON - Township officials want a Lakewood neighborhood watch group to stop operating outside its jurisdiction, especially displaying the red-and-blue lights normally reserved for law enforcement.

Mayor Michael Reina and Council President Rob Nixon have petitioned township Police Chief Matthew Kunz to find out how to stop the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch from operating in Jackson. Over the last few weeks, residents have reported sightings of the group, which is authorized by and frequently operates alongside the Lakewood Police Department, operating in Jackson, Reina said.

"I have personally pulled over several times for what I believed was a first responder vehicle," Reina said. "The last thing our residents have to worry about is someone going around with red-and-blue lights, so they think there’s an increased police presence on their streets … This is a blatant abuse of the law. It's not supposed to happen."

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In an open letter, Nixon said the operation of an unauthorized neighborhood watch group could interfere with police activities. Nixon, government affairs director for the state Policemen's Benevolent Association, said he reported an instance "a few years ago" in which Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch members were attempting to direct traffic on East Veterans Highway in Jackson.

"I don't need to tell you both that the freelancing of civilians in law enforcement and public safety activity is potentially dangerous to the public and our police officers," Nixon wrote on the "Jackson NJ Strong" Facebook page. "The last thing our police officers need at a scene is a civilian masquerading as an officer attempting to provide assistance."

But the appearance of the group in neighboring towns hasn't been welcomed by residents, who claim it's another sign that their communities are changing at a breakneck pace. Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch, a nonprofit registered with the IRS as Lakewood Shomrim, Inc., consists of volunteers who have assisted police at crash scenes and even helped to apprehend criminals. The group, founded in 2007, holds various safety events and operates a hotline during snow emergencies.

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The population of Lakewood has skyrocketed over the last decade and is expected to double to 230,000 people by 2030.

With Lakewood bursting at the seams, home seekers have begun moving to Toms River and Jackson. Property sales near the Lakewood border have nearly tripled since 2014, including homes sold well above market value.

Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little said Thursday he had asked the neighborhood watch group to stop all activities in the town. They complied, Little said.

On its Facebook page, the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch said its presence was requested near areas of Route 70 on the border between Toms River and Lakewood. When one member drove a marked vehicle down North Apple Street, it was reported.

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"While the LCSW’s operations are, for the most part, limited to Lakewood, we have on occasion been asked to patrol in other cities and towns throughout New Jersey. However, we never enter municipalities without first coordinating with the local authorities," the group posted.

But even if a Jackson resident asked the group to patrol their streets, the police department still must be notified.

“It doesn’t work that way. If they’re going to come into our town and patrol our streets, I want to know the person who called. Why didn’t they call our police department? Who authorized them to come into Jackson and patrol?" Reina said.

Reina said the township isn't against neighborhood watch groups in principle. Years ago, Reina himself served as the captain of such a group in the 60 Acres Reserve neighborhood.

“The police department asks that you let them know. They walk you through it, tell you the do’s and don’t’s,” Reina said. “That kind of neighborhood watch program is encouraged, but I’ve never seen patrols go past their neighborhood, let alone town borders.”

Mike Davis: (732) 643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com