Residents, officials discuss crime watch at meeting
GEORGES TWP. – Several residents crowded the township municipal building Wednesday to seek a solution to what they called an abundance of crime in four communities. However, a general consensus among those in attendance was that many of these incidents have gone unreported, mostly because the victims fear retaliation.
For this reason, the residents met to discuss forming a neighborhood crime watch.
The concerned residents cited an inordinate amount of crime in Amend, Continental 2, Continental 3 and Hayes, where buildings reportedly have been vandalized, car windows smashed, mailboxes knocked over and street signs stolen.
One woman who wished to remain anonymous said she can’t keep doors on a business she owns because vandals repeatedly damage them.
Others recounted similar stories of damage and their frustration with the crime in their community.
But, the problem lies not only with the perpetrators, according to township Supervisor Michael Bartock.
“Nobody wants to testify, and that’s the problem,” he said.
Pennsylvania State Police trooper Brian Burden said that people must report the incidents.
“We can’t help with these problems if we don’t hear about them,” said Burden.
The police need witnesses who are able to articulate the information that officers need for further investigation, he said.
Burden said that the state police will do what they can, but it is important for neighbors to look out for each other.
So, the police encourage the crime watch program, which is intended to make neighborhoods safer.
Burden said communities that have active crime watches have reduced crime rates.
“Police officers can’t be everywhere,” said Burden. “People must depend on each other to make their community safer.”
The township plans to purchase signs to alert the community to the crime watch group’s presence.
The group will meet next at Victory Inn in Continental 2 at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 and will elect officers at that time.