Citizen Recruits Help Everyone

Granted, no one likes “nosy neighbors,” but involved neighbors who are friendly with the police and know when to speak up are the best deterrent to crime any neighborhood can have.

Bristol welcomed about 300 citizens Tuesday night at six different sites as part of a national anti-crime initiative called National Night Out. It was aimed at recruiting citizen crime stoppers and building relationships between citizens and the police.

Alice McCaffery, who chairs the Bristol, Tenn., Weed and Seed program, noted that past Neighborhood Watch efforts have fizzled over time and she hopes the night-out event helps community crime prevention efforts take root and grow.

We agree. While adding more officers is a desirable goal, the cost can be more than many localities can muster. Every community needs the support of law enforcement and the strength that solid relationships with police bring to a neighborhood. Working with citizens to develop watch groups also gives them tools to solve their own problems.

Deputy Kevin France of the Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office said building Neighborhood Watch groups is the backbone. “We encourage them to be nosy neighbors,” France said. “Police officers can’t be everywhere at one time and we need the community to keep us informed.”

Building relationships in neighborhoods, teaching citizens what to watch for and when to call for help deters criminals and makes communities safer. It also makes residents proud of where they live and more likely to report crime happening nearby. Several neighbors told this newspaper that they want their homes to be safe and appreciate knowing their neighbors and the police are looking out for them. It’s a universal desire.

We’re pleased to see more neighborhoods taking part in the effort and the hundreds of citizens who came out this week. Their efforts, combined with the work of law enforcement, make Bristol safer for everyone.