With crime becoming an increasing concern in Poplar Bluff, a city resident is looking to start fighting back.
“I grew up in the time of McGruff the Crime Dog and D.A.R.E.,” Poplar Bluff resident Rob Duckett said. “Neighborhood watches were used to deter crime. People felt safe in their homes and businesses. As of late, the increase in drug traffic, property damage and theft has people worried. It is time to take back our neighborhoods in a responsible way.
“Neighborhood crime watches help bring communities together with their neighbors. The motto is ‘Look out for each other’ and by doing that, we protect each other.”
With that in mind, Duckett is organizing a neighborhood watch in Poplar Bluff, where residents organize to keep their neighborhoods safe and secure by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and also reporting crime when it does occur.
“The neighborhood watches are designed to work in small groups, say a one or two-block area at most,” Duckett said. “It is designed to bring neighbors together and work in coordination with law enforcement. As people become acquainted with their neighbors, they become invested in their area and the people next door.
“People will be more aware of what goes on in their areas and identify when something is amiss. Building on that, criminals will be quickly identified and reported. The message will get out that they are no longer welcome there. This will not only help lower crime but will draw the community closer together.”
Several city residents that expressed frustration at the city’s crime rate last week at a listening post held by Poplar Bluff Mayor Steve Davis also said a neighborhood watch could be part of a solution to the crime rate.
“Crime has been increasing in all areas of the nation. In Poplar Bluff, we see that as well,” Duckett said. “It seems like within the past two years it has taken a huge leap. It is no longer contained in the troubled neighborhoods, but (now is in) all areas of Poplar Bluff.
“The recent budget cuts in law enforcement and decrease in manpower hinders how quickly they can respond to reports of criminal activity. People want to feel safe in their neighborhoods and want a plan of action. Now is a good time to create a positive dialogue between law enforcement and the people.
Duckett said that the neighborhood watch in Poplar Bluff will hold an organizational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. “The more the message gets out, the hope is more will take part,” Duckett said.
Duckett said he hopes to gauge how much interest there is in beginning watches in Poplar Bluff and also to provide information and tools to set up watches.
“Many are looking on where to start and we hope this meeting will help them,” Duckett said.
Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley is also a fan of neighborhood watch. He said the department will be represented at the June 8 meeting by Detective Dan Mustain, the department’s social media coordinator, and Sgt. Dusty Johnson.
“It’s used by a number of different cities big, small and in-between,” Whiteley said. “The good thing about it is you have neighbors getting together and starting to pay more attention to what goes on in their neighborhood. ... It’s a good thing for extra eyes and ears and certainly beneficial when you’re investigating criminal activity.”