(Camden, NJ) – The Camden County Police Department has initiated a new program for vulnerable populations in the city to address quality of life conditions. Senior Watch is the newest community policing initiative from the agency that proactively assists the department by identifying individuals that could be exposed to extreme conditions. The program will be put into use during conditions such as a public health crisis and extreme weather emergencies, or to prevent fraud and exploitation targeting elderly residents. During these times, police officers contact or go to the homes of registrants to check on their well-being.
Residents and family members of residents can go to https://seniorcontact.camdenpd.com/contact to sign up a loved one for the program and they will be put into a secure registry for officers to reference in times of need.
To be eligible, Camden residents must meet the following criteria:
- Ages 70 or older, or disabled;
- Lives alone; and
- Does not reside in a senior living facility.
“Between the pandemic and the extreme temperatures over the course of the summer it was pertinent for us to formalize this program so we can have an active list of residents to check in on and help if the need arises,” said Chief Joseph Wysocki. “This is also another way for officers to expand their engagement and dialogue with residents throughout the year and another opportunity for our agency to expand our community policing strategy.”