Monmouth County's largest community has an identity crisis that officials are hoping to clear up, even for those who live in Middletown.

Commemorative bricks at Middletown's Anniversary Plaza
Commemorative bricks at Middletown's Anniversary Plaza (Middletown Township)
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Township officials next month will launch "Neighborhood Spotlight," a program focusing on the uniqueness of more than a dozen sections of Middletown, as well as resident's concerns, according to Mayor Stephanie C. Murray. The initiative is part of Middletown's Community Identity Campaign (CIC).

"People in Lincroft don't realize that Belford's part of Middletown, or vice-versa, that people in Leonardo don't realize that different sections of town like River Plaza, are all part of Middletown," said Murray.

She also pointed out having multiple zip codes also adds to the confusion. So, over the next year, the government will provide outreach, by staffing the Police Department's Mobile Command Center, which will be stationed in the various neighborhoods. The center also will be stocked with general township information and popular forms, according to Murray.

"This is a way of trying to brand it all and bring it all together and let everybody know that is really all one big township," Murray said.

Middletown is over 42 square miles with more than 66,000 residents, more than 20 schools, and 11 firehouses.

The first Neighborhood Spotlight will be North Middletown this August, followed by River Plaza in September, Belford in October, Harmony/New Monmouth in November, and Middletown Village in December. In 2016, the Mobile Command Center will be stationed in Leonardo in January, Locust/Navesink in February, Port Monmouth in March, Oakhill in April, Lincroft in May, and Fairview/Chapel Hill in June.

Specific dates and times have not been announced yet.

 

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