Thompson Falls organizing neighborhood watch program
Thompson Falls police officer Roy Scott at a neighborhood watch meeting last week. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Concerned citizens of Thompson Falls, met together Tuesday evening at the Black Bear ballroom to discuss ways to continue the efforts of organizing a neighborhood watch program.
Roy Scott, a Sanders County sheriff candidate and a Thompson Falls police officer, has been the driving force behind setting up the local neighborhood watch program. Also present was Thompson Falls City Council member Katherine Maudrone, and Sylvia Miller, a youth drug and alcohol prevention specialist.
Officer Scott chaired the meeting, first asking attendees for their concerns in their own neighborhoods. Drugs and possible drug houses were the main concern, as well as vandalism, theft and gasoline siphoning from vehicles. Scott said he has had fuel stolen from his patrol vehicle on two occasions.
Several suggestions to lesson theft around homes were adding more lights, installing locking gas caps and adding video recording cameras.
The reoccurring topic during the meeting was how to lesson the impact of drugs in the neighborhoods. This was a valid concern with a meth lab being found and prosecuted last July.
Scott’s future agendas for upcoming meetings will include, how to spot and report possible drug houses and activities, training on the current illegal drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin.
Also in the planning stages, a training class on administrating Narcan to possible overdosing individuals.
During the meeting literature, neighborhood watch signs and how to identify possible criminal activity forms were passed out.
The Thompson Falls Neighborhood Watch Program is looking for more volunteers to be captains in their home area. A captain would be responsible for a two to four block area around their home. Those responsibilities would include contacting homeowners and renters in their neighborhood getting them involved in observing possible criminal activities and reporting it.
To learn more about the Thompson Falls Neighborhood Watch Program and its activities you can go to the Thompson Falls Police Department Facebook page.
Neighborhood Watch meetings are held at the Black Bear Ballroom the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. All those interested in the watch program are welcome to attend.
