The Ring doorbell has become an instant hit across the country, giving homeowners a video glimpse into who is at the door before answering. It’s also become a de facto home security system, sometimes catching suspicious individuals on residents’ doorsteps.

Toms River police announced a partnership with Ring this week, allowing residents to benefit from the company’s “Neighbors” smartphone app. The “Neighbors” app is a platform for anyone, whether or not they own a Ring device or other home security system, to share and receive photos, videos and real-time crime and safety information with their neighbors and local law enforcement.

“As we continue to move forward in this fast moving technology culture, law enforcement as a whole needs to embrace every opportunity afforded to them to stay resourceful in combating criminal activity within our communities in real time,” said Detective Mark Bajada, who already runs Operation WatchDog, an initiative to encourage residents to register their home security systems with the police department. “The Toms River Police Department is excited to be the first police agency in New Jersey to partner with Ring, to further enhance the working relationship in crime prevention and detection with our community through their (Ring) Neighbors app.”

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The app (and more information) can be downloaded at this link. “Neighbors,” police officials said, provides citizens with a reciprocal connection with each other as well as their local police department in real-time relating to local crime, suspicious persons and safety information free of charge. The emphasis of the partnership enables the Toms River Police Department to have a greater footprint of potential video owners as well as a proactive approach to effectively communicate with residents that will enhance a stronger community partnership.

“This partnership, along with the creation of our Operation WatchDoginitiative, will further open the lines of communication with the residents of Toms River creating a more proactive approach to solving crime.” said Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little. He went on to say, “It will also help deter criminal activity in our neighborhoods as it is essentially a digital Neighborhood Watch.

“We’re excited to have the Toms River Police Department join Neighbors to keep their community up-to-date on local crime and safety information,” said Jamie Siminoff, Chief Inventor and Founder of Ring. “Over the past few years we have learned that, when neighbors, the Ring team and law enforcement all work together, we can create safer communities.”

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Operation WatchDog, or to register, can visit www.trpolice.org. To join TRPD’s digital Neighborhood Watch text: tomsrivernj to 555888

“As a police department we aspire to always work hand-in-hand with our residents to keep Toms River a safe place to live,” said Little. “Partnering with Ring opens that optional line of communication between us and our community.”