Dog Walker Community Watch Training Set For April 18 In Ardmore

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Lower Merion Police Department and Community Watch are hosting their Dog Walker Watch training later this month, and are inviting residents to learn how walking their dogs can help keep neighborhoods safe.

The class will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at the Ardmore Fire House, 35 Greenfield Ave. in Ardmore.

Residents can register online here.

Two participants in the class will win a Ring doorbell, and all dogs will be awarded a Dog Walker Watch bandana.

"This is a great way to help keep Lower Merion safe, "Matt Peskin, President of Lower Merion Community Watch, said. "The more trained eyes and ears – the better. The Dog Walker Watch training program includes both dog walkers and recreational walkers.”

Peskin said the Dog Walker Watch program has spread to over 3,500 communities nationwide through the National Association of Town Watch.

The program began in 2014 after Peskin ran the idea by then Lower Merion Police Superintendent Michael McGrath.

Peskin introduced the concept and suggested running it in the township, and McGrath agreed.

"Since then, we have trained about 200 residents from all over the Township," Peskin told Patch. "Some bring their dogs to the sessions, and we always have a lot of fun with them, and Officer Daren Swain does a great job with the presentation."

According to Peskin, 88 million dog walkers exist in the country, and they are out at all hours of the day and in all types of weather.

"They know their neighborhoods better than the police," he said. "Therefore, they are an extremely valuable asset in building and maintaining safer, more caring communities."