Community Policing Initiative Relaunched In Belmar, Lake Como

Belmar officials held the first of four community outreach meetings on Saturday, April 27, to reintroduce the revamped Community Policing Program, an initiative being led by Belmar Councilwoman Patricia Wann in partnership with the Belmar Police Department. The meeting provided residents and business owners in the southern end of Belmar with the opportunity to learn more about the program, to speak directly with the Belmar Police Department officers assigned to their zone, and to get involved by applying to be a resident block captain or a resident zone chief.

“It was great to see the excitement of having the Community Policing Program underway. The meeting went exceptionally well, and we were very pleased at the fantastic turnout — over 90 residents attended,” Councilwoman Wann said. “So many people stayed afterward, getting to know one another and our police officers, and people who couldn’t attend are still reaching out to us and want to sign up.”

In addition to Belmar Mayor Mark Walsifer, Detective Captain Tom Cox and Sergeant Chris Lynch spoke at length about the program and addressed residents’ comments and questions regarding various quality-of-life issues in their respective neighborhoods. Police officers for the South Zone were also introduced. They include Police Officer Michael Allen, Police Officer Lawrence Kelly, Police Officer Joseph Clayton, and Police Officer Timothy Yee.

Under the Belmar Community Policing Program, neighborhoods in Belmar and Lake Como have been organized into four zones. Each zone has a designated police squad to address resident concerns related to issues such as summer rentals, noise, traffic, parking, and other non-emergency quality-of-life issues. The four zones are:

• Belmar South Zone, 10th Avenue to North Boulevard
• Belmar North Zone, 1st to 10th Avenues, Ocean Avenue to Main Street
• Belmar West Zone, West of Main Street, including the Belmar Marina
• Lake Como Zone

According to a Borough of Belmar press release, “Within the zones, there will be a resident block captain and an alternate for each block on each street. There will be one resident zone chief per area. Resident block captains are responsible for receiving information from residents within their block. The resident block captain will filter any quality of life, such as noise, garbage, overcrowding, order maintenance or any ongoing disturbances to their zone chief in charge. The resident zone chief will forward information to the sergeant assigned to their zone and Detective Captain Cox. The resident zone chief is also responsible for setting up meetings with the sergeant for police-related issues. The sergeant will then brief his officers to the issues in the zone and address the outstanding problems.”

In the coming weeks, three additional community meetings are planned for the Lake Como Zone, the Belmar North Zone, and the Belmar West Zone. The dates are:

• Belmar North Zone: Thursday, May 9, 7:00 p.m., Belmar Court Room, 601 Main Street
• Lake Como Zone: Saturday, May 11, 12:00 p.m., Academy Charter High School, 1725 Main Street, Lake Como
• Belmar West Zone: Date and location to be announced

“We have a great police force that is dedicated to our residents,” Councilwoman Wann said. “Each zone has different problems, and the Community Policing Program gives residents a voice to discuss their particular concerns with their own zone police Sergeant. I believe this program fosters a sense of community and gives residents a feeling of security. Hopefully, our neighborhood problems will be addressed so residents will not feel intimidated when our population explodes in the summer.”

For more information on the Community Policing Program, contact the Belmar Police Department at 732-681-1700. Community members should continue to call 9-1-1 for public safety and medical emergencies that require an immediate response.

Story and photos by Patch Mayor Christine Cardellino, publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog. Read more Belmar Community stories.