Submit crime tips via ‘Neighbors’ app with Toms River Police

Toms River Police have developed a new way to work with residents and businesses in fighting crime in the community.

The Department is announcing a partnership with the free crime and safety app ‘Neighbors’ by the Santa Monica based company Ring.

This partnership is similar but separate from and supplemental to their Operation WatchDog program which encourages residents and businesses to register their security systems in effort to increase safety and reduce crime.

The Neighbors app platform is a way 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," Detective Mark Bajada, Toms River Police Department Operation WatchDog coordinator, said. "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.”

The Neighbors app (available for download via iOS and Android at https://download.ring.com/tomsriverpd) provides citizens a connection with each other and their local police in real-time relating to local crime, suspicious persons and safety information free of charge.

In Toms River, this partnership enables the TRPD to have a proactive more approach to effectively communicate with residents and enhance a stronger community partnership.

“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,"Jamie Siminoff, Chief Inventor and Founder of Ring, said. "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.”

“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.” Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said.  “It will also help deter criminal activity in our neighborhoods as it is essentially a digital Neighborhood Watch.  As a police department we aspire to always work hand-in-hand with our residents to keep Toms River a safe place to live. Partnering with Ring opens that optional line of communication between us and our community.”

If you are interested in learning more about Operation WatchDog, and to register, visit www.trpolice.org.

To join the Toms River digital Neighborhood Watch text: tomsrivernj to 555888.

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