GUERNSEY – In an effort to provide another layer of security to the community, local resident Shawna Reichert is seeking support of the town council and local police in forming a neighborhood watch program.

“I want to work together to make Guernsey a safe place to live, not have an ‘us-them’ mentality,” Reichert said, explaining there is an obvious drug problem in the neighborhood, property has been stolen, and the police cannot be everywhere, all the time.

She and Police Chief Jay Harrison have discussed the issue and he and the other officers are willing to work with the group. He is open to helping coordinate training for the group as well.

In her first step in the process of starting a crime watch group Reichert started a locals-only group on social media to see if the community is interested in starting a neighborhood watch. The responses are verified as to being from people with addresses only in the Hartville/Guernsey area. Asked if they believed crime was an issue, 75 people said yes; 60 responded they believed a criminal watch program would help deter crime, and 52 said they were willing to participate.

“It’s worth pursuing. I wanted to make sure there was not a negative attitude and I’m pleased the comments have been more positive than negative,” Reichert said. “The goal is for people to know this will not be a ‘citizen’s arrest’ type of group, it’s being the eyes and ears of the police department and sheriff’s office to have more awareness when something is happening.”

“I think it is fine if they want to do it,” councilwoman Penny Wells said. She said she didn’t think it is fair to expect the police to go around arresting people. “We’d probably catch as much flack if they stopped people without probable cause. I think there are a lot of things that need to be more timely reported.”

“I do know we’re going to get flack when we start sending out weed violation letters, but the studies show well-maintained towns have less crime,” Wells asserted. “If we get the town cleaned up it should help with the issue.”

“I like where Shawna is going on this,” Councilman Kellie Augustyn said. “I’d like to help her out as much as we can. A community watch would be a good thing for the town.”

Councilman Dale Harris agreed, “I think it’s a thing that needs to be done, as long as it’s done right.”

Plans are being formed to have a public meeting to discuss which type of watch group the community wants to start.