Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln and police Chief James Capitos are discussing the possibility of setting up a meeting to gain public interest in a community crime watch.
Given the vandalism and related crimes that have plagued the city in recent months, this is a propitious step. But regardless of how it's proposed, or by whom, a neighborhood crime watch needs the public's support.
Over the years, there have been several attempts to start a crime watch in the city. To date, all have failed. Why? No community support.
A crime watch isn't a vigilante group. It's about neighbors watching out for neighbors in their neighborhoods. The key word is “watch.”
A neighborhood crime watch can be an effective cooperative effort between police and citizens. It encourages citizens to deter crime by keeping the police informed.
With an engaged citizenry, a crime watch should promote a safer community, help prevent and/or reduce crime and, most importantly, develop good relations between residents and police.
Working together, citizens and police can make a difference. Here's hoping the mayor and police chief will garner enough public support for this initiative. The result will benefit our community and city police.
