The neighborhood watch in the Har Nof neighborhood in Jerusalem has launched: on the eve of the holiday, the first patrol vehicles arrived, bearing the new organization's emblem.
During the holiday, a patrol force consisting of non-Jewish guards was already active, patrolling throughout the neighborhood.
As we first reported here, it was decided to establish a neighborhood policing force in Har Nof, following a wave of break-ins and crimes in the neighborhood.
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During Seder night, two homes were reported broken into: one on Agassi Street, which was empty of residents. The patrol had passed by the location a few minutes before the break-in, and the burglars had apparently planned their schedule around the patrol. When the residents returned home and discovered the break-in, they called the guard and, together with a police detective force, the burglar was captured.
In another case, the residents were at home, and when they heard the sounds of a break-in, they went down to call the patrol. The thief escaped.
Speaking to Haredim10, the founder of the watch, Tsiki Tzur, says that we are already seeing results on the ground. He says that last year, there were about 25 break-ins on Seder night, to homes where people were staying, compared to only one incident this year.
Haredim10 learned that the neighborhood's rabbis have already signed a letter calling on residents to volunteer for the watch. The letter will be published immediately after the holiday.
The neighborhood watch calls on residents to keep an eye out and report any unusual incidents.
