Lakewood, NJ - Shomrim Born Out Of Lost Faith In Cops

Lakewood, NJ - The recent history between the Lakewood Police Department and the Orthodox enclave that defines the township is the reason many community members now say they've lost faith in the cops. "There's a total lack of confidence in the Police Department in terms of their ability to do what's referred to as community policing," said Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg, a member of the Vaad, an influential group of Orthodox leaders. "Confidence is at an all-time low." And that hat lack of confidence has led to the creation of the Lakewood Shomrim organization.

The nascent group is a neighborhood watch, complete with a start-up Web site and a hotline for residents to call. Its burgeoning presence is an ode to the growing disconnect between the Police Department and many of the township's 6,000 Orthodox families. "Everyone's scared," said Aaron Kugielsky, 24, a Lakewood resident and one of Shomrim's organizers. "People stay home, especially girls."

Privately, some township and community leaders are wary of what the neighborhood watch could morph into. They fear rogue groups of young men who, convinced police officers are of no help, try to solve situations themselves.