By SARI ZEIDLER
The Town of Hempstead posts signs on streets that have more than 50 percent of residents actively participating in a Neighborhood Watch program. The site of the unveiling holds particular importance to the community, which joined together under the leadership of the North Merrick Community Association and guidance of the Nassau County Problem Oriented Police to start a Neighborhood Watch after Maddie Brown, a Chapin Avenue resident and Camp Avenue teacher, was robbed at gunpoint outside of her home in November.
"It was a very frightening experience having a gun held to my head, my neck, my throat and just being robbed on this nice little block that we've all lived on," Brown said. "So I'm just very appreciative for the North Merrick Civic Association, what they have done, and hopefully this will not happen again."
The North Merrick Community Association held a meeting with the South Merrick Community Civic Association in November to kick off the watch program after both neighborhoods noticed a spike in criminal activity, notably the activities of "the ring bandit," who assaulted Brown and another Merrick women, ripping their rings from their fingers.
Over the past several months, the program has taken off, with 13 signs being posted throughout North Merrick and more expected.
Comments about this story? Szeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
