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Neighbors keep a watch out
By LINDA M. LINONIS
liberty
Decades ago, neighbors knew what those next door were having for supper by the aromas wafting through open kitchen windows and recognized which cars belonged to whose house.
Times have changed. Now, many residents in a neighborhood don’t know who lives next door. The only contact may be an exchange of waves.
A neighborhood watch changes that by encouraging neighbors to look out for one another.
A meeting is planned at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Liberty Township Administration Building, 1314 Church Hill-Hubbard Road, to promote and organize watches in the southern area of the township. That takes in the area from Gypsy Lane to Goldie Road. A representative of Guardian Protection will speak on home security.
“Neighborhood watches are the eyes and ears for police,” said police Capt. Toby Meloro, who coordinates the project. He said police can’t be everywhere all the time, so watches contribute to the safety of the neighborhood.
The Gypsy Lane to Goldie Road neighborhood watch covers a large area; there will be captains of sections. Residents will be asked to report nonemergency problems and concerns to the captains, who in turn, will contact Meloro.
He noted that 30 years ago, people in neighborhoods all knew one another. Police walked beats and knew many residents and business owners and employees. “Our mobile society has changed that,” he said.
Meloro said watches help the police relay to residents what’s going on in the area. For example, many communities have experienced thefts of copper wiring and piping. If there’s an empty house in the neighborhood, it could be ripe for this kind of theft. Watches teach residents “what to watch for,” Meloro said.
“Neighborhood watches get people together,” said police Chief Rich Tisone.
He noted that watches help make residents more aware of their surroundings by noticing cars that don’t belong in the neighborhood as well as strangers. “Watches open up lines of communication with the police,” he said.
Tisone said watches help residents understand methods of crime prevention. “They learn what they can do to make the neighborhood safer,” he said.
Being concerned about your neighbors is key to a successful block watch. Practical tips include trimming overgrown shrubbery to remove potential hiding places, keeping security lights on at night and having a home-alarm system.
Tisone said residents also can send e-mails with concerns and problems. Check the Liberty Township police website, www.thelibertypolice.com, and click on department roster. E-mail may be sent to the chief and others in the department.