County-wide neighborhood watch program reinstated

As part of National Crime Prevention Month, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office is reestablishing a countywide neighborhood watch program. 

Auxillary Officer Bob Mahon has been named the “Crime Prevention Officer” for the Sheriff’s Office and will be in charge of coordinating the neighborhood watch program. 

“Bob has gone through the training for the neighborhood watch program,” Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas said. “I have already received calls for people who want to be in a neighborhood watch program and because I have these people that have expressed interest in that and the fact that it is very difficult in the size agency we have to be in all places in the county. However the people, and the residents, can assist by having a neighborhood watch program.” 

Throughout the month, Sheriff Ornelas will be passing around flyers that give the details of the neighborhood watch program and how a member of the community can get involved. 

“We are not only asking for (interested community members) address but their physical address as well,” Sheriff Ornelas said. “The physical address will help Bob determine where people are located so he can establish the programs.” 

Sheriff Ornelas said that Mahon will compile a list of willing participants and set up a time where he can establish a block captain and give the details on what is expected of members of the program. 

“The people in those particular program need to meet on a basis they determine will be sufficient – whether it’s once a quarter or once a month,” Sheriff Ornelas said. “It depends on the folks and Bob will explain it to them when they meet.” 

Sheriff Ornelas added that the meeting will also establish what each particular area in the program is trying to accomplish. 

Mahon will also attend individual meetings if a particular issue comes up. 

“What we’ve done here is taken an auxillary officer who is willing to head that up and take the program and run it for us,” Sheriff Ornelas said. 

“I’ve wanted to do this for quite a while.” 

If interested, community members can email Mahon at rmahon@co.mineral.mt.us or call the sheriff’s office at 822-3555.