Monday, Jun. 22, 2009

Neighborhood watch association meets Tuesday in Belleville

BELLEVILLE -- The newly formed McClintock Neighborhood Watch Association in Belleville will hold a public meeting Tuesday to organize several neighborhood watches within the 550-household area.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church located at the corner McClintock and Carlyle Avenue. The first organizational meeting was held in May.

"We had 30 people show up, which is a pretty sizable number and we realized that warranted more than just forming a neighborhood watch group," said Ward Seven Alderman Phil Elmore. "I expect over 100 households will be involved in these watch groups. It's a very conscientious neighborhood that's very proactive. There is nothing better than every body watching out for every body else.

The association will be the base of contact for seven neighborhood watch groups, Elmore said. A neighborhood watch group is a small group designed to keep an eye on neighbors and the goings-on in small, neighborhood areas. The association will cover the homes from Carlyle Avenue to Mascoutah Avenue and from McClintock Avenue to Garden Street.

"We are getting a lot of assistance from Asst. Police Chief Jim Spargur," Elmore said. "In the future we plan to have speakers and city representatives come to talk to them about issues and police activity. There have been some car break-ins in the neighborhood and neighbors are always concerned about residential speeding and people running stop signs. Safety concerns are always prevalent in just about any neighborhood. I'm a newer alderman and while I was campaigning several people asked about putting together a neighborhood watch group."

Ward Seven Alderman Jack LeChien, St. Clair County Board Member Jerry Dinges and Spargur are all expected to attend the meeting Tuesday to answer questions and talk about organizing the watches.