In March of 1994, it became evident there was a need for more direct police intervention along the shopping centers of Route 18 in the township.  It was decided an attempt should be made to better address the needs and concerns of both merchants and shoppers, particularly in the areas of shoplifting, auto theft, and juvenile problems as they related to conducting business along this busy corridor.

A grant from the New Jersey Safe and Secure Communities Program partially compensates the township for the "Project 18" Community Policing Unit.

The Community Policing Unit acts as the East Brunswick Police Departments liaison to various public and private groups, as well as providing numerous crime prevention awareness and community programs to the residents, business community, and visitors to East Brunswick.  Some of these programs and services include:  Free home and business security inspections, coordination of the various East Brunswick Neighborhood Watch Programs, coordination the East Brunswick “National Night Out Against Crime” celebration, providing free Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspections to East Brunswick residents, conducting free lectures and training seminars on various crime prevention and safety topics (ranging from “Child Safety” to “Crimes Targeting the Elderly”), coordinating the “Junior Police Academy” and the “Citizen Police Academy”, and much more.

The community policing unit is available for presentations on nearly every crime prevention and safety topic.

Patrolman Andrew Pense is currently assigned to the Community Policing Unit.  He graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and has received advanced training in community policing.  Patrolman Pense is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and he may be reached directly by calling (732) 390-6943 or emailing apense@ebpd.net.