PITMAN — On Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m., the Pitman Town Watch will launch Dog Walker Watch (DWW), a new crime awareness program in Pitman. Clayton Crime Watch members have been invited and will be attending.

“There are hundreds of dog walkers throughout Pitman,” said Town Watch President Cynthia Ventura. “Through Dog Walker Watch, we hope to convert many of those walkers to extra eyes and ears for the police department as part of Pitman's ongoing crime prevention efforts. Dog walkers can be a valuable resource in helping to make our community safer. Dog walkers know their routes well and can easily note what is normal and what is out of place.”

“Our police department’s liaison to the town watch program, Capt. Daniel McAteer, will be on hand to answer questions and provide some guidance from a police perspective. McAteer will discuss with prospective dog walkers how to effectively report suspicious activity through 9-1-1 using their cell phones, and to not take matters into their own hands,” said Police Chief Robert Zimmerman.

“The police department whole-heartedly supports the Pitman Town Watch and DWW program. However, this program falls under Town Watch and is not a police-sanctioned program,” Zimmerman said.

The meeting will be at the Pitman VFW Hall, 142 Oakcrest Ave., Pitman.