Neighborhood Watch Programs Grow In Popularity In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ — More residents in Parsippany have recently expressed an interest in organizing a neighborhood watch, possibly in response to business burglaries and an increase in auto burglaries earlier this summer.

According to Mayor James Barberio, on Oct. 3, he held a "Coffee with the Mayor" meeting in conjunction with the Parsippany Police Department, where they addressed residents' concerns and Officer Remo D’Alessandro presented a home security seminar.

“We have a great resource in our police department and Officer D’Alessandro. I’m happy to provide these coffees with the mayors, where I can engage with residents and facilitate information to make their lives safer and provide peace of mind,” Barberio said.

According to officials, all neighborhood watch programs in Parsippany are held in partnership with the Parsippany Police Department and with the assistance of Community Relations Officer Remo D’Alessandro.

Just last month, D’Alessandro and Barberio also hosted a neighborhood watch program presentation for residents of the Mazdabrook neighborhood.

"The class was excellent, focusing on a group of residents from Mazdabrook who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together and in conjunction with our Parsippany Police Department," Barberio said on social media.

In the last several months, residents have complained that they no longer feel safe in Parsippany.

"I don't feel safe anymore. I know you guys are doing everything that you can, but when it happens to you, it's completely different," Stacey Richards, a resident who had her car's catalytic converter stolen this summer, said.

Richard Pantina, Parsippany's police chief, said that the police department has made some changes in the last couple of months in order to reallocate the department's "manpower" to where it is most needed.

"We changed our schedule to put men in at different times, where the crimes are higher," Pantina said. "We have great men and women who are very highly trained; they really do care about this township and the people that work here."

Recently, some residents have banded together and formed a Parsippany Neighborhood Watch group, which has held two meetings with the goal of "ensuring unity and safety in our town."

The group stated that anyone interested in learning more about the developing Parsippany Neighborhood Watch should attend their next meeting on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Parsippany Public Library.

"It's a great way to meet your neighbors and make connections that can be beneficial for you and your family's safety and security in town. We have established a few block captains and are excited to have this initiative take off successfully with your help," officials said.