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Highlands Today

More Neighborhood Groups Keeping Watch

Before a neighborhood watch can officially go into effect three meetings have to be held.

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: March 3, 2009

SEBRING - SEBRING At 70 years old, Gary French said he is still one of the youngest people living in Avon Park's Orangewood Acres.

A retired law enforcement officer, French decided six months ago he wanted to do his part to keep his neighbors safe and restarted the neighborhood watch program.

"This was pretty much up my alley and I'd hate to see these elderly people sitting around getting ripped off all the time," he said.

One of the problems French noticed in his neighborhood were people going door-to-door between 8 and 10 p.m., asking for money. The requests were generally started with a "sob story," such as trying to get funds to go and visit a sister in the hospital in St. Petersburg.

Since the neighborhood watch is back up and running, French said he has seen a noticeable drop in these types of occurrences.

What Nell Hays has not noticed a drop in is the number of neighborhood watches in Highlands County.

The crime prevention officer for the Highlands County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said she has 40 solid watches, 27 in some form of development, five going through the start-up phase and two calls within the last week about getting a watch going.

"It's the most solid activity I've ever had," said Hays, a 10-year veteran with the HCSO. "The reasons vary. Almost always, when you have a neighborhood that has a burglary or several burglaries, you have someone calling up saying we need to do something about this."

Hays said she has gotten a feeling that some of the watches have been started in response to the country's economic climate and fears about possible burglaries.

Before a neighborhood watch can officially go into effect, Hays said three meetings have to be held. During those sessions, a chairperson will be chosen, other interested residents will be recruited, the goals will be discussed and a contact list, or "telephone tree" will be created.

Melvin Ridley, who became involved with his Tanglewood watch program in 2005, said the biggest problem his neighbors face is young people wanting to take golf carts and have "demolition derbies."

"You are interested in protecting your community," Ridley said. "You try to, as best you can, prevent burglaries and any type of mischief."

Pat Connelly has been on the neighborhood watch board at Avon Park Lakes for more than two years. One thing he has impressed upon the residents is the importance of always locking doors, which he said has been happening more now.

"People are more cautious because of the times we're living in," Connelly said.

Hays said that neighborhood watch groups are considered in active status if a member meets with an HCSO representative once a year. She feels "more comfortable" then that the groups she has in the books will keep their neighborhood programs going strong.

"I do believe people are becoming more proactive," she said.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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