In an effort to have more watchful eyes on the township streets, Lower Merion Police recently offered a free training session for resident dog walkers to improve their alertness while on the streets.

The session took place at the Ardmore Firehouse last week, writes Siafa Lewis and Sean Tallant for CBS Philadelphia.

The training is part of the department’s crime prevention efforts. The hope is that dog walkers can work in tandem with the community watch.

This isn’t a new idea. The Lower Merion Dog Walker Watch was established eight years ago.

“We want them to get their head up and report suspicious activity because they know their neighborhood better than anybody, better than the police department and they are out at all hours, said Matt Peskin, the president of the Lower Merion Community Watch.

The hope is that more dog walkers will want to get involved.

Peskin said they try to make it fun with bandannas and jackets for the dog owners and a dog bowl for their furry companion.

Read more about the dog walker watch program in Lower Merion at CBS Philadelphia.

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