Today, Chief Kunz, Capt. Laskiewicz, Lt. Convery and Lt. Hratko met with several representatives of the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch, or LCSW. Also in attendance was Chief Lawson of the Lakewood Police Department. The LCSW staff was already aware of the concerns and requests of Mayor Reina and Councilman Nixon that the LCSW not patrol in Jackson Township. They were also aware of the many allegations circulated via social media.

“Since the community concerns of possible quasi-police actions by the LCSW in Jackson Township, to include alleged traffic stops, patrols of the township and the use of red or blue lights and or sirens, the Jackson Police Department had investigated as far as possible, and contacted the LCSW for a meeting,” the Department said this evening. “Please know that no evidence of the alleged activities was discovered or corroborated in the course of investigating the matter. This is a civilian group, and they appear to be cognizant of their limitations.”

The department added, “According to the LCSW, they do not “patrol” in Jackson Township, nor do they have plans to do so. The vehicles they utilize are marked to identify them as part of the LCSW. Any warning lamps on the vehicles are amber-only in color, and they have indicated that they do hold the proper permits for amber warning lamps such as would be authorized for security-type vehicles. The group wears garments which identify them as SAFETY WATCH members.”

“The LCSW group will provide assistance for any person or group upon request. Such assistance may include well-being checks for family or friends, or checking on homes when the residents are away. The Lakewood Police Department does interact with them in certain circumstances, akin to the support that CERT teams provide via the Office of Emergency Management. Members of the LCSW are trained to make observations and report them to the police department, not to take law enforcement action.

Going forward, the LCSW was invited to have any associates or acquaintances residing in Jackson Township, that desire to initiate a neighborhood watch program, to contact us, such as twenty or so other groups have done, so we may have a “level playing field” and organize all such groups under common guidelines.”

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