The Grantsville Police Dept. is sponsoring Neighborhood Watch, a crime prevention program where neighbors look out for each other.

It encourages neighbors and citizen participants to get to know each other and their routines so that any unusual activity can be observed, reported, and investigated by the police department.

It also teaches citizens the techniques to reduce the risks of being victimized at home, in a vehicle, at work, or in public.

Neighborhood Watch is not a force working outside or against the procedures of the local police department, nor is it a vigilante program to allow participants to take on personal risks to deter or prevent crime. It is not a guarantee that crime will not occur or decrease in the town.

The town’s police officers are trained, have good equipment, and a record of taking care of problems, but because the budget only allows for chief Jeff Starcher and two part time officers, Joe Garrett and Rob Bradley, there are times when there is not an officer on duty.

Situations in which there is no law enforcement coverage in Grantsville is rare. The police department has good cooperation with other law enforcement officers in the county, but so much more can be done to prevent crime by involvement of Grantsville’s citizens.

The program is under the direction of the police department to protect the participants. Window stickers and signs at the entrance to the town will soon be available.

Citizens are being recruited to volunteer for this service and to meet quarterly. They receive instructions in ways to have a safer community and in ways of looking out for their neighbors without being invasive.

With 20 residents attending the first meeting, Starcher considered it a success.

Grantsville can be a better place to live with the cooperation of residents. Call Grantsville Police Dept., 354-6400, for information.

The Chronicle will publish a series of articles with information that will help everyone be more responsible.