Narberth Community Town Watch Members On Patrol

Narberth's volunteer town watch is on the move.

“We have formed a Community Town Watch for Narberth. Groups have completed training and are now on 
patrol. If you are interested in joining our Community Town Watch, please send me an e-mail...” wrote Narberth Mayor Tom Grady on January 2 on the Narberth Civic Association website.

Sgt. Yantorno of the Narberth Police Department stated that in order to participate in the Narberth Community Town Watch one must be a resident of the borough, have no criminal record and “posses an interest in helping the public and the police”.

Should a candidate fit those criteria, she or he would then be required to undergo a community watch training class. The Lower Merion Township Police Crime Prevention Unit conducts the class.  The training classes are held in the Public Safety Building of Lower Merion Township, located at 71 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore. The Lower Merion Police have worked in conjunction with Lower Merion’s own Town Watch for over thirty years, and the Narberth Community Town Watch is essentially an extension of the Lower Merion Town Watch. 

Matt Peskin, President of the Lower Merion Community Watch, said that despite having separate patrol areas the residents of Lower Merion and Narberth have the same interest and goal – the promotion of vigilance.

“The whole basis is that people should be aware of what is happening (in their community), and that they should not be intimidated to call 911 (to report suspicious activity),” he said. “Where they live doesn't make a difference, we want as many people involved as possible.”

He added that participation in the watch is a good thing for residents to talk to one another about.

“Once you choose to get involved and get trained… …you talk to your neighbor or your friends about it, and what happens is that more people decide to become involved,” said Peskin.

Those interested in finding out more about the Narberth Community Town Watch can email Mayor Grady at grady@tfgrady.com or contact Sgt. Yantorno at the Narberth Police Department by calling 610-664-8160.

Those interested in finding out more about the Lower Merion Town Watch can visit lmcommunitywatch.org or contact Matt Peskin at mpeskin@natw.org or 610-649-7055

Contact the Lower Merion Police Department Crime Prevention Unit by calling 610-645-6240.