A sharp resurgence in COVID-19 has put Lehighton’s Neighborhood Crime Watch on the sidelines.

Mayor Clark Ritter informed borough council on Monday that the group “hit a snag with COVID.”

“They don’t feel comfortable holding a meeting, and I agree,” Ritter said. “So, it’s a Catch-22 at this point.”

In October, Ritter said Detective Matt Arner would lead the Neighborhood Crime Watch, and added they would try to expand it from South Second Street.

That came after Ritter suggested at council’s July meeting that a Neighborhood Crime Watch be started.