Hazlet police using Neighbors app by Amazon Ring to monitor criminal activity

Meet your new neighbor - the Hazlet Township Police Department.

Township police are utilizing the Neighbors app by Amazon Ring in effort to better prevent as well as solve crime in the area, according to a Feb. 21 Facebook post by the police department.

Hazlet Police Deputy Chief Ted Wittke penned an editorial in The Hazletonian stating that detectives and supervisors now have access to the Neighbors Portal.

In the announcement, Deputy Chief Wittke stated police intentions on the app:

Interact on a social media network with community members

Send requests for videos in targeted geographical areas and specific time frames to assist in the investigation of crime or any other incident that would warrant police involvement

Provide another avenue of communication with the police department

Create a cooperative relationship between the police and residents for safety and well-being

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The Neighbors app provides real-time crime and safety alerts straight to users' mobile devices via the Ring doorbell camera. Hazlet police can only access footage with the owner’s permission, according to Deputy Chief Wittke.

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Over 400 police departments nationwide have developed partnerships with Amazon and its Neighbors app. Hazlet joins Long Branch, Lakewood, Manchester Township, Berkeley, Ocean Township, Point Pleasant, Toms River and Stafford Township as Monmouth and Ocean County police departments with Neighbors memberships.

Jai-Leen James is a digital producer at the Asbury Park Press. She can be reached at jtjames@gannett.com or on Twitter @j_james17.