Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer. Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.

Neighborhood Watch meetings bring neighbors together. Gathering and discussing neighborhood issues is not only a way to make sure your voice and concerns are heard, but a great opportunity to create and strengthen friendly bonds with our neighbors.

Knowing that there is someone nearby who cares and who will watch out for us and our house, makes us feel safer. When we know our neighbors, asking for help from one another comes naturally.

When good citizens stick together and look out for one another, criminals take notice, and usually avoid those neighborhoods. Additionally, ACSO deputies attend our meetings to answer law enforcement questions, so it’s a chance to become acquainted with them as well. And did I mention cookies? There are usually cookies at these meetings.

Speaking of food, for the last few years, Adams County and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office decided to break from the traditional August date and follow the lead of other Southern states by celebrating National Night Out in October. The weather has been good and the cookouts and events were very successful for all who participated. While we cannot predict that the weather will be as perfect as it was last year, we’d rather take our chances in October with fewer mosquitoes. This year the date for the Adams County National Night Out is set for Tuesday, October 27. We will begin at 5:30 pm and travel throughout the county to meet with each participating Neighborhood Watch group.

Please contact me, Courtney Taylor, Adams County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, (601) 442-2752 ctyalor@adamscosheriff.org  to let us know if you would like to start a new Neighborhood Watch group or if you would like to hold a block party on October 27. Thanks for your participation and your desire for the very best for your neighborhoods.

 

Courtney Taylor is the public information officer for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

 

Courtney Taylor

Adams County Sheriff’s Office, P.I.O.