Each month, several area neighborhood watch groups meet throughout the county to discuss concerns about safety, crime and drug activity within their own communities.
In the Tipton area a neighborhood watch group has formed thanks to concerned citizens.
They will once again meet on Thursday, March 16 the Tipton area neighborhood watch group will meet at the Tipton Baptist Annex Building on Sassafras Street in Tipton from 7 to 8 p.m.
The featured speaker will be a representative from the Blair County Drug Task Force discussing how to identify illegal drug activity in your neighborhood.
Cate Crider attended a recent Antis Township meeting on behalf of the group, requesting 13 neighborhood watch signs to be placed throughout the Tipton area.
She said the group has been meeting with over 60 residents attending. She shared the format of the meeting, explaining Officer Jeff Petucci attends to share important information with the group. A website is planned and an 800 number has been set up for individuals to call.
There is also a box set up for tips to be placed. This is to prevent the need to call long distance for matters that may not need immediate attention.
Supervisor Charles Taylor asked if the tips go directly to the state police.
“Yes, an officer picks them up every few days,” said Crider.
She said residents are not taught to do anything to put themselves in harms way, but they are asked to keep watch for suspicious activities and report anything out of the ordinary to the authorities.
The group already had ideas about where they wanted to place the neighborhood watch signs, saying they chose areas where high numbers of residents were participating in the meetings.
“I was at their meeting and I think it’s a great idea,” said Supervisor Ken Hostler.
The Board of Supervisors agreed to purchase the signs and posts for $300.
Residents traveling through Tipton may have noticed the new signs have already arrived and Antis Township workers have already placed them at various locations throughout the community.
Signs are located on Tipton Manor Road, McFarland Road, Spruce Street, Grazierville Road, Parkview Estates, Locust Street, Sassafras Street, Bland Street, Rossi Drive, Cedar Lane, Maple Lane, Oak Lane and Forest Street.
The Tyrone neighborhood watch group will meet on Monday, March 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Tyrone Senior Center, located at 505 W. 3rd Street, Tyrone.
The speaker this month is Pam Myers, Clinical Supervisor, White Deer Run Altoona, Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center.
Myers will discuss behaviors to look for in a person using drugs.
Everyone is invited to attend the informational meeting and bring a friend.
As this type of neighborhood watch group becomes more popular throughout the area, a countywide effort has been made to unite the various groups.
Last month a countywide meeting was held for all interested individuals in Blair County.
Blair County District Attorney, Richard Consiglio, was the speaker, discussing his views on local crime and drug activity.
According to Maureen Adams, Assistant Director of National Senior Service Corps Programs for Blair Senior Services, Inc., these meetings provide “an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and learn what is really going on in their community.”
Additional information can be obtained by calling Adams at 946-1235.
