Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler launches Ring Neighborhood Watch Program in Honor of Nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Reed Phone: 609-909-7214 Email: ReedTimothy@aclink.org

NORTHFIELD, NJ – August 3, 2020 - Although the COVID-19 pandemic has canceled events all over the country for National Night Out, the annual celebration that enhances the relationship between the community and law enforcement through positive circumstances, Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler is working hard to ensure law enforcement is not forgotten on this special day. In honor of National Night Out, which was scheduled to take place Tuesday, Aug. 4, the Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler is proud to announce a special partnership with Ring, Inc., the home security and smart home company that incorporates outdoor motion-detecting cameras including the Ring Video Doorbell, to keep Atlantic County safe … and make it even safer! “National Night Out is our annual celebration of our police and communities coming together to promote safety in our neighborhoods,” said Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler, “While we physically cannot gather together this year, it is very important to recognize and celebrate our police/community connection. This partnership with Ring is a great example of how we can come together as one to keep our neighborhoods safe.” The Neighbors initiative, which Scheffler has dubbed a “digital neighborhood watch program,” uses a portal created by Ring for the community to link their Ring surveillance videos to, but it also offers those who do not have Ring technology to upload videos from any system, including phones, to share information. “It’s great because even if you don’t have a Ring camera, you can be part of the safety network and join the program as a member, which is absolutely free,” Scheffler added. The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office will work in conjunction with area municipalities to monitor Neighbors on a daily basis to look for crime trends and investigate problem areas. The program also works in reverse so that if a partner agency like the Office of the Atlantic County Prosecutor is seeking information for, let’s say, a string of burglaries on a specific street, the Sheriff’s Office can put out a request on the portal seeking information and videos from the community. “The bottom line is we believe this technology will solve more crimes and make neighborhoods safer,” said Scheffler, who added that anyone who joins the Ring community will remain anonymous, even to law enforcement. Scheffler will also use neighbors to feature other crime prevention awareness topics ranging from staying safe while jogging to banking security to enhance the user experience. “Nothing is more important than the safety of the families in Atlantic County,” Scheffler said. “I’m proud to have secured this partnership with Ring so our police can join with the residents of Atlantic County in protecting our families.” To join the Ring Neighbors “digital neighborhood watch program,” go to Community.Ring.com or download the free Ring Neighbors app on your smartphone or tablet. Users can link their Ring camera or upload video from any device to be part of the community safe initiative. -MORE- In addition to the Ring initiative, Scheffler is also launching a series of crime prevention lectures to help make Atlantic County safer. Available on special request at no charge, just call Chief Warrant Officer Tim Reed at 609-909-7200 or email him at ReedTimothy@aclink.org to schedule Scheffler to speak at your next socially-distanced event. About Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler Incumbent Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler believes in a stronger today for a better tomorrow and always puts people ahead of any politics. Scheffler has dedicated his life to law enforcement. Serving as an Atlantic City Police, where he retired as a lieutenant, Scheffler is an instructor in 22 different, top law enforcement areas and has personally created 11 different law enforcement instructor courses. Since being elected Sheriff in 2017, the Democrat has proven his model that good law enforcement comes from a perfect chemistry of strongly upholding the law, never-before-seen community engagement and creating social programs for long-term success while maintaining fiscal and moral integrity. In just a little more than two years, Scheffler formed the Hope One Project and Mobile One Outreach Initiative to help those suffering with addiction and/or mental illness, including securing a $2 million grant for overdose prevention, the biggest of its kind in county history. Scheffler implemented various new programs to ensure that his team isn’t just better, but safer, is deeply involved in veterans’ issues, has conducted more than 100 lectures to train civilians in a variety of subjects including active shooter and first responder training, increased the Sheriff’s Office presence in area schools, and has made the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office the most respected it has ever been in its history. Scheffler, an Atlantic County native, lives in Northfield with his wife Maria and family, where he is dedicated to creating a healthy and safer community.