Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch can be a great means of information sharing between the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and your neighborhood. Alpine has been frequently noted as a community leading the way in terms of its “Watch” groups, in both the residential and rural areas of the Township.

Our community policing officers have worked with organizing and maintaining Neighborhood Watch programs. These neighborhood-based groups have been utilized to dispatch alerts regarding suspicious activities, break-ins, and other safety concerns. The Neighborhood Watch groups have been successful in deterring crime. More than one burglary case has been solved through alert neighbors using their training and taking note of license numbers and details from vehicles that they didn't recognize in their neighborhood.

The Community Police Services also keep in touch with the other apartment, mobile home and condo associations who may not have a formal Neighborhood Watch representative.

Some Watch Group Leaders (within our Community Policing Service District, including western Plainfield Township):

• Rural Neighborhood Watch: Laurie Alt
• Strawberry Pines Condos: Georgia Kellar
• Westgate Neighborhood: Anita Heinbeck
• York Creek Estates Condos: Jane Symko
• Yorkview/Mabel Condos: Ann Hole
• Timber Creek: Roger Parent
• Alpine Meadows: Susan Szelag
• Alpine Slopes: Deb Larson
• Churchill Place: Fred and Pat Alt
• Westgate Townhouses: Holly VanderLaan
• Little Pine Island (Plainfield Township): Roger Johnson
• Northern Estates (Plainfield Township): Julie Berry
• Reflection (Plainfield Township): Kathi Riggs
• Scott Lake Trail (Plainfield Township): Lynne Barnhart
• Pine Island (Plainfield Township): Todd Jenks

Hunter Safety Courses

Officer Ertle will again be conducting the hunter safety course in November. The course involves three evening meetings. Attendance at each of the three sessions is required to receive a course certificate. The class is open to all who may need a hunting certificate, ages 12 and older (or who will be 12 years of age for the hunting season).  The course is held at the Alpine Township Offices, 5255 Alpine Avenue NW, Comstock Park, and is offered at no charge, however, registration is required. To register, contact the Township Offices at (616) 784-1262.

The course will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 6th, 7th and 8th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Small game, turkey, archery deer, and resident bear is open to those 12 years and older. Firearm deer is open to those 14 years and older.

Boater Safety Classes

Deputy Ertle conducts these classes in the Spring.  The course involves two evening sessions.  Students must be 12 years of age or older.  The classes are held at the Township Center at 5255 Alpine Avenue.  Students must attend both nights of their respective class to receive certification.