Residents gather for Neighborhood Watch meeting

More than 20 neighbors on Gray Fox Dr. gathered on Saturday afternoon at the home of John and Sheryl Lewis for an annual holiday pot-luck and Neighborhood Watch meeting.

The group shared ideas and discussed topics related to safety, security and how thieves gain access through garages. A group email list was compiled so that the neighbors can stay in touch with each other and report incidents that may occur on their street.

John and Sheryl serve as Neighborhood Watch block captains for residents who live on Gray Fox Dr. between Blue Bird Dr. and Sparrow Hawk Dr. They host two to four meetings per year.

The National Neighborhood Watch Program is based on the premise that one of the best crime prevention tools is a good neighbor. When neighbors know and trust each other they can work together and in partnership with law enforcement to create an effective crime-fighting team. Neighborhood Watch fights the isolation that crime can feed upon.

The success of a Neighborhood Watch group depends on the block captains and the support they receive from their neighbors. While some Neighborhood Watch groups flourish, others dwindle or disappear altogether.

The key person in any Neighborhood Watch group is the block captain. This person is an integral component to keeping the block actively involved in crime prevention efforts, as well as the important process of information exchange between neighbors.

As block captains, John and Sheryl facilitate the unity of the group, distribute information, host social gatherings and provide their neighbors with information on ways to protect themselves and each other.

John and Sheryl have been serving as the block captains for the past four years. Since then, they have made every effort to see that their Neighborhood Watch group flourishes.