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We are part of this community. We are your neighbors, living in your neighborhood. And, like many of you, we are disturbed by reading and hearing on a daily basis about increased assaults and crimes here in our neighborhood.

Neighborhood Watch is something we can do. It’s neighbors helping neighbors — extra eyes and ears that can report crime or suspicious activities and promote safety and well-being on our block. It’s a way to meet the folks who live down the street.

We haven’t met all of the people on our street yet, but we’re on a mission to change that. Through Neighborhood Watch, we are looking forward to meeting the people in each of these households. Being block captains, we will be a clearinghouse to get information out to everyone. In addition to residents, the other main components of Neighborhood Watch are the Volunteers in Policing program, and — in this neighborhood — a police officer funded by the Weed and Seed program. If there are activities or issues that we are concerned about on our block, we can let VIPs and the Fairbanks Police Department know. They, in turn, will keep us informed about problems in other neighborhoods, and we, the block captains, will disperse this information to our neighbors.

Each person needs to decide their level of participation in the program. But the key is to participate! It’s all about keeping your eyes and ears open. Paying attention to what you see going on in your neighborhood. Talking to your neighbors.

It’s almost summer, so we will all be spending more time outside. We all chat with the folks that live near us. Now is the time to start conversations with the other neighbors that live just a few more houses away. You need to be a concerned citizen willing to be involved in improving your neighborhood. The cost? Your commitment — a small price to pay to increase the safety and security of your home and neighborhood.

Why did we volunteer to become block captains?

We need to do something, and something ain’t nothing! If we are unhappy with events that are happening around us, or how unsavory activities are being handled, we are the ones that need to let it be known that something has to change. And it is up to us to take steps necessary to make that change.

Neighborhood Watch will give us an avenue to make positive changes for ourselves and our community.

If you have questions or want more information about Neighborhood Watch in your area, now is the time to ask. In addition to four area meetings that will take place in the Weed and Seed site over the next month, there will be a gathering from 9 a.m. to noon on Cleanup Day, May 10. “Neighbors at the River” will take place at the corner of First Avenue and Barnette Street. Stop by for coffee and pick up yellow garbage bags for Cleanup Day. Also, if you are able to volunteer assistance in helping to remove larger items that won’t fit into yellow bags, come join us. For more information on the event, contact Cathy Persinger, Weed and Seed site coordinator, at 322-8516.