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 two officers was received and established the "Project 18" Community Policing Unit.
A decade later, a third officer was added to the Community Policing Unit in order to assist with the increasing number of programs that are offered to the residents and businesses.  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.

Members of the community policing unit are available for presentations on nearly every crime prevention and safety topic.

Patrolman Michael Knoll is currently assigned to the “Project 18” Unit.  He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors Degree in Administration of Justice and has been trained in community policing techniques by the NJ Regional Community Policing Institute.  Patrolman Knoll is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and he may be reached directly by calling (732) 390-6938 or emailing mknoll@ebpd.net.

Patrolman Frank LoSacco is currently assigned to the Community Policing Unit.  He graduated from Kean College with a Bachelors Degree in Management Science and from Seton Hall University with a Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.  He has been trained in community policing techniques by the NJ Regional Community Policing Institute and is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.  Patrolman LoSacco may be reached directly by calling (732) 390-6958 or emailing flosacco@pba145.com.

Patrolman Robert Zielinski is currently assigned to the “Project 18” Unit.  He graduated from Middlesex County College with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, and is currently attending Thomas Edison College in pursuit of a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice.  Patrolman Zielinski has received crime prevention training and is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.  He may be reached directly by calling (732) 390-6938 or emailing rzielinski@ebpd.net.