Millville council mulls launching Neighborhood Watch by summer

By Lynze Wardle

March 22, 2004 | MILLVILLE -- The signs are familiar: black, white and orange, with the figure of a hooded man crossed out in the center. And according to Katie Evans of the Neighborhood Watch program, they may be all it takes to discourage criminals looking for an easy target.

Millville, however, remains one of the few places in Cache Valley that does not participate in Neighborhood Watch. In Thursday's City Council meeting, members discussed the possibility of starting a program.

Evans said some towns only post the signs, while others have gone as far as assigning citizens to patrol the streets.

"It's not being vigilantes," Evans said. "It's basically being the eyes and ears of law enforcement."

According to Mayor Mike Johnson, Millville has tried to develop the program in the past, but it failed when residents didn't attend the meetings. Cache County Sheriff's Deputy Christensen, who accompanied Evans, said that because of Millville's currently low crime rate, posting signs might be sufficient.

"With Millville, its more proactive," Christensen said. "Just [hanging] signs is a good starting point."

The signs cost $3 each, but can sometimes be found for as low as 60 cents. Evans recommended that Millville purchase 1,600 signs.

Councilman Guy Curtis suggested the council print tips on how residents can safely participate in the program in the city newsletter.

"There's a lot of education that needs to come from this," Curtis said. "We're just looking for a little direction."

While the council did not decide on a plan of action, they agreed that the program needs to be instituted before this summer. Councilman Rod Hobbs said he suspects the rising cost of gas will increase the number of people who pump gas and leave before paying.

In other news, the council awarded a bid for the construction of a building to house the sand and salt used for road maintenance to M.W. Construction. The building will cost nearly $65,000 and be constructed 80 feet south of City Hall. The council debated between using unfinished cement or more aesthetically pleasing cinder block to construct the building, but decided, because of the $4,000 price difference, to go with cement.

"We can throw a little dirt and paint on it and make it look cinder-blocky if you want," Hobbs said with a laugh.

The next council meeting will be held on April 1.

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