Crime Watch Groups Are Extra "Eyes" For Police

When Heather Dubov moved to South Whitehall from New York City some time ago, she found that residents here were able to have a closer relationship with police.

“Calling the New York police because a car without lights passed your house slowly three times, or you saw glass shattered next to your neighbor's car would have been met with laughter,” Dubov said, noting the difficulty of reporting "possible" crime in a city as large as New York.

Here, Dubov is among group of township residents who are the extra "eyes and ears" of the South Whitehall Police Department, watching crime trends and keeping on the alert.

She is involved with one of two crime watch groups in the township, Residents Around Dorney Are Reporting (R.A.D.A.R.), for those who live south of Tilghman Street. Meanwhile, John Oplinger is the contact for the other crime watch group, Neighbors are Reporting Crime (N.A.R.C.), for those who live north of Tilghman Street, according to the South Whitehall website. 

Both groups were launched in the 1990s, and their aim is the same since the beginning -- community involvement.

“Even though South Whitehall Township is a relatively safe, low-crime area, there have been incidents of armed robbery, assaults, home burglaries, destruction of property, DUIs, auto theft, drug dealing, and attempted child abduction," Dubov said.

"The aim is to maintain a great quality of life, by keeping events like the aforementioned to a minimum.”

Members of both crime watch groups were on hand Tuesday, Aug. 2, as the township hosted its  at . The event was combined with the groups' annual summer picnic.

Dubov points out that R.A.D.A.R. is not a vigilante group, but is about residents staying alert and making note of any suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods. At the meetings, the emphasis is on keeping an eye on things; if something doesn’t look right, residents are encouraged to contact police.

"It is absolutely not neighbors spying on each other," Dubov said. "We respect each others' privacy.” 

Oplinger said a big part of the crime watch groups is that they allow neighbors to get to know one another. 

“By recognizing the faces of people who live around you, you can more easily recognize strangers near your house," Dubov said.

The township has grown considerably in population since the police department was formed in 1970 with five officers and a chief. The latest census count put the township's population at 19,180 residents, up 1,152 more people from a decade ago. There are more houses too. 

The police department now has 37 officers, including the chief.  Two officers, Jeffrey Natysyn and Stephen Brown, are coordinators for the crime watch groups. The officers keep members up-to-date on crime statistics and safety measures, including how to deter and detect crime. That information can help them protect themselves and their neighborhoods, Natysyn said.

Also, residents can anonymously call the police department's non-emergency phone number using CheckMate numbers, or codes, to report crimes.  

"We always say, they're the eyes of the police department," said Natysyn.

More than 500 families belong to the organizations, receiving their newsletters, Natysyn said. About 30 people attend meetings.

Dubov has been with R.A.D.A.R. since its inception. She was secretary from 1997 until 2009 and continues to be active. Linda Cooper has since taken over as secretary, and Eleanore Sorrentino has been the group’s treasurer since it was formed. 

Oplinger has been the "go-to" man for N.A.R.C. for years.

Guest speakers at meetings have included township commissioners, as well as a representative of a security company who talked about what to look for in protecting a home. 

The National Crime Prevention Council considers crime watch groups such as one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime. 

The crime watch groups at a glance:

R.A.D.A.R

* Covers South Whitehall, south of Tilghman Street.

* Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at Cetronia Fire Company, 3950 Broadway.

N.A.R.C.

* Covers South Whitehall, north of Tilghman Street.

* Meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at Greenawalds Fire Company 2500 Focht Ave.

For more information on the crime watch groups, go to the township's website here. 

Also, the township earlier this year started . Residents can keep tabs on crimes in their neighborhoods and receive email notifications.