Sidney, Jackson Twp. Residents Form Neighborhood Watch
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYDNEY - Town and Jackson Township residents met Saturday in the fire station to decide where Neighborhood Watch road signs will be posted.
Citizens formed a watch program in November in cooperation with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department to keep an eye out for vandalism, theft or break-ins.
Volunteers are filling a calendar with dates they're available to patrol the town and township. If they see anything amiss, they are to call the sheriff's department. Volunteers work in pairs, driving the township roads and town streets. They do not confront anyone or any situation.
Armed with cell phones, cameras and notebooks, the watchers will keep an eye on things. If something doesn't seem right, they'll report it.
Local resident Ron Neal addressed 13 people Saturday saying the town purchased four of the watch signs and donations paid for the rest, a total of 17.
The signs will be posted at various points in town and in the township.
Town Board President Kenny Koontz said anyone who would like to help, can help.
"We've had tool boxes stolen right out of people's trucks," he said. "We're trying to get coverage over the whole township."
Sidney is at the intersection of Ind. 13 and CR 900S. Sometimes it takes awhile for a deputy to respond to calls.
"We've opened the lines of communications," said Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine this morning. The sheriff's department receives more calls in the northern part of the county than in the southern part. As a result, there are fewer officers on patrol in the area.
"A Neighborhood Watch is very effective. You're making a whole group of individuals aware of what's going on in the area. They become our eyes and ears.
"Neighbors get to know neighbors. In some places residents call each other on the telephone, some do a little patrolling each night. It's up to the community, they create their own system.
"It's an effective deterrent to mischief," Rovenstine said.
Marcia Dierks, town secretary, keeps the watch calender. She also has Neighborhood Watch stickers people can place in their homes.
Neighborhood Watch meetings are the first Saturday of each month. Meetings in March, April and May will be in the Amazing Grace Community Church.
For more information or to volunteer for the Neighborhood Watch Program, call Charlene Johnson at the sheriff's department, 574-267-5667. [[In-content Ad]]
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SYDNEY - Town and Jackson Township residents met Saturday in the fire station to decide where Neighborhood Watch road signs will be posted.
Citizens formed a watch program in November in cooperation with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department to keep an eye out for vandalism, theft or break-ins.
Volunteers are filling a calendar with dates they're available to patrol the town and township. If they see anything amiss, they are to call the sheriff's department. Volunteers work in pairs, driving the township roads and town streets. They do not confront anyone or any situation.
Armed with cell phones, cameras and notebooks, the watchers will keep an eye on things. If something doesn't seem right, they'll report it.
Local resident Ron Neal addressed 13 people Saturday saying the town purchased four of the watch signs and donations paid for the rest, a total of 17.
The signs will be posted at various points in town and in the township.
Town Board President Kenny Koontz said anyone who would like to help, can help.
"We've had tool boxes stolen right out of people's trucks," he said. "We're trying to get coverage over the whole township."
Sidney is at the intersection of Ind. 13 and CR 900S. Sometimes it takes awhile for a deputy to respond to calls.
"We've opened the lines of communications," said Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine this morning. The sheriff's department receives more calls in the northern part of the county than in the southern part. As a result, there are fewer officers on patrol in the area.
"A Neighborhood Watch is very effective. You're making a whole group of individuals aware of what's going on in the area. They become our eyes and ears.
"Neighbors get to know neighbors. In some places residents call each other on the telephone, some do a little patrolling each night. It's up to the community, they create their own system.
"It's an effective deterrent to mischief," Rovenstine said.
Marcia Dierks, town secretary, keeps the watch calender. She also has Neighborhood Watch stickers people can place in their homes.
Neighborhood Watch meetings are the first Saturday of each month. Meetings in March, April and May will be in the Amazing Grace Community Church.
For more information or to volunteer for the Neighborhood Watch Program, call Charlene Johnson at the sheriff's department, 574-267-5667. [[In-content Ad]]