Lakewood, NJ — The room was filled with energy, gratitude, and appreciation as Shomrim hosted its Member Appreciation Event on Tuesday night, honoring the volunteers and partners who stand on the front lines of community safety every day. Community leaders, law enforcement officials, public servants, and families gathered for a powerful celebration of service, sacrifice, and unity.

With nearly 100 highly trained volunteers, Shomrim has become a driving force in public safety across greater Lakewood. From overnight patrols while the community sleeps, to rapid emergency response, to securing massive events with tens of thousands in attendance, Shomrim’s presence is constant, professional, and trusted. Its specialized divisions—ranging from dispatch, first responders, aviation and drone units, search and rescue, surveillance, traffic and event coordination, crime prevention, and violence intervention—operate with one shared mission: keeping the town safe.

What made the evening especially meaningful was the overwhelming show of respect from law enforcement at every level. Shomrim leadership opened the program by recognizing the volunteers and the families who support them. Rabbi Hillel Eisenberg spoke passionately about the responsibility and merit of serving others. Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer delivered a heartfelt message praising Shomrim’s professionalism and reliability, citing countless joint efforts that have prevented crime, led to arrests, and strengthened public trust.

That message was echoed by Commissioner Sam Ellenbogen, Mayor Ray Coles, Lt. Colonel Sean Kilcommons of the New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronordy, and Chief Casey Long of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, each emphasizing how extraordinary it is to have a 24-hour volunteer organization of this caliber and how vital Shomrim’s partnership has become to modern public safety.

The night balanced emotion with celebration. Laughter filled the room during a stand-up performance by comedian Ami Kozak, while appreciation awards were presented to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and Lakewood Police Department. A powerful video recap highlighted Shomrim’s 2025 operations, including security for major regional events, expanded drone and surveillance capabilities, and the quiet vigilance of members who patrol nightly and respond instantly when needed.

In a forward-looking announcement, Shomrim unveiled a new advanced internal operations app designed to dramatically improve dispatch, response time, data security, and coordination, with public features expected to roll out soon.

As the evening came to a close, one message was unmistakable: Shomrim is more than an organization—it is a partnership, a commitment, and a promise. A promise that Lakewood’s safety is guarded every hour of every day, by those who show up, step forward, and serve.