Conversations about Neighborhood Watches continued during the public safety committee meeting. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

Conversations regarding starting neighborhood watches in the city are continuing, with more interest shown around the city.

Police Chief Scott Forster said he had seen some messages from people who said they had their own groups without the paperwork, which is something he said is fine, and if they want to have a police officer come and meet with them they just need to call the department and let them know. Forster also brought some of the paperwork packets with him to the meeting in case anyone came that wanted one.

A question was raised by Councilman Tony Dolce, R-Ward 2 and chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, if National Night Out was something other communities still did. After some quick research it was discovered that it is happening nationally at the beginning of August this year, including returning to Buffalo.

“That might be something to think about, even on a small scale,” Dolce said. “Maybe a small gathering in one place.”

Forster said he hoped that with handing out paperwork more groups would be formed, and that if people want to communicate through Facebook and social media that works too. Dolce added that he is a part of a big group for the city’s north side that communicates through messenger. The group is made up of several hundred people, and is used for when there is a storm or power outages, information, lost animals, or when something strange is happening in the neighborhood like lost or stolen packages.

“They find a lot of animals that way,” Dolce said.

Other similar group chats exist in the city that are also very active. More information on starting a Neighborhood Watch group or on how to get the paperwork can be found by contacting the Jamestown Police Department.