The South Brunswick Police Department works year-round to build relationships with community members through outreach programs and community policing efforts.
The goal is to partner with a variety of individuals and groups throughout town, develop shared goals, and act together to reach those goals, according to information provided by the department.
The purpose is to build trust with the South Brunswick community and provide the best possible service the police department can offer, according to the statement.
Officers hope by making residents aware of the various services offered, they can reduce crime and the fear of criminal acts, empower community members and groups to assist the police department in the shared goal of combating crime, and improve quality of life for residents, according to the statement.
ASAP (Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness)
South Brunswick Police Department’s Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness training is designed to get attendees thinking about what they would do if faced with an active shooter, along with some strategies to survive the encounter.
The department offers this presentation to community groups, houses of worship, businesses, and other group settings within the town.
For more information, or to speak to someone about scheduling a presentation, contact Lt. Gene Rickle at [email protected].
Citizens Police Academy
The Citizens Police Academy program provides education on law enforcement topics to a group of adult residents. The program hasn’t been held since 2019 due to COVID, but a class is expected this fall.
This program involves the selection of approximately 20 adult citizens to attend 11 weeks of classes, held one evening per week.
Topics discussed include an overview of the criminal justice system, criminal and motor vehicle law, patrol, investigations, ethics, use of force, first aid, and many other specific aspects of policing. Attendees go through several shoot/don’t shoot scenarios with a firearms simulator, and will also participate in practical exercises.
Participants should leave with a greater understanding of police operations and concerns, and the police department will gain new community contacts, a win/win for both the community and the police department, according to the statement.
National Night Out
National Night Out is South Brunswick’s biggest and most anticipated community event of the year. Officers typically host up to 7,000 residents for free food, games, prizes and displays.
2022’s event is set to return after 2 years from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 2 at Rowland Park. Details will be announced closer to the event date.
Neighborhood Watch
The Neighborhood Watch program teams officers with community members in an attempt to keep a watchful eye on neighborhoods. Citizens are trained to be good observers, contacting police when they see anything amiss.
Any communities interested may call the Community Policing Division at 732-329-4000, ext. 7459 for more information.
Operation Blue Angel
Operation Blue Angel is a free program run by the South Brunswick Police Department. Its goal is to assist residents who, due to advanced age, diminished mobility or medical concerns may be unable to answer their door in an emergency situation.
Through Operation Blue Angel, a police department-owned lock box, similar to a Realtor’s lock box, is mounted to a door of the home. A key, supplied by the resident, is locked inside the box. In the event of an emergency, responding police officers are able to retrieve the key by using a code accessed by the department’s Communications Center, allowing officers to quickly enter the home and render aid without causing damage, according to the statement.
For more information or to download an application form, visit www.southbrunswicknj.gov/images/departments/police/Operation_Blue_Angel_Full_Application.pdf
Special Needs Registry
The South Brunswick Special Needs Registry is a voluntary service open to all citizens with special needs who reside, attend school or are employed in South Brunswick.
The registry was created to help police officers and other emergency service personnel better assist residents with special needs in the event of an emergency by providing first responders with vital information regarding a registrant’s special needs, emergency contact information, physical description and current photograph, according to the statement.
For more information, visit www.southbrunswicknj.gov/special-needs-registry
Youth Police Academy
The Youth Police Academy for incoming sixth grade students has not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic, but plans are in place to start up the program again this summer.
This program features three sessions every year, each session a week long.
During these sessions, students are introduced to the police department and instructed on law enforcement topics such as basic training, patrol, investigations, traffic, and many other intricacies of police work.