Nationally, the Neighborhood Watch program is celebrating its35th year, and in Lincoln County, it is celebrating something of arebirth.

With August primaries looming, two candidates for Lincoln CountySheriff are both focusing on resurrecting the program.

Even though the race is expected to be tight and there are avariety of issues to debate, both current Sheriff Steve Rushing andformer Sheriff Lynn Boyte agree there is a tangible need for aNeighborhood Watch program in Lincoln County. Some of Boyte’scampaign signs question the disappearance of the program whileRushing has recognized a need for its return to the county.

“I have a number of things I’ve been working to implement since Itook office in September, and this is one of them,” said Rushing,who took office mid-term after Sheriff Wiley Calcote resigned.”Neighborhood Watch was not active in the previous administration,and revitalizing it has definitely been one the goals we’ve beenworking toward.”

Neighborhood Watch is a program that allows citizens and thesheriff’s department to work together to help detect and preventcrime in individual neighborhoods.

Boyte was responsible for bringing the program into Lincoln Countyin 1988.

“Doesn’t it make sense if criminals are united in crime, why can’tlaw enforcement and the people unite to combat it?” he said.

Rushing said since he began working toward revitalizing the programand distributing the handbook, interested people have contacted thesheriff’s office wanting to know how to bring their neighborhoodinto the program. He said all it takes is a group of interestedresidents willing to meet and upkeep the efforts of NeighborhoodWatch in their area.

“There’s a block leader for each community,” said Rushing. “Theyact as a liaison between the sheriff’s department and a group ofcitizens from a particular neighborhood.”

Rushing said the program is effective nationally because whilepolice coverage is important in any neighborhood, it gives citizensa chance to feel as though they control a part of their ownwell-being. It also gives them a direct line to their lawenforcement officials.

“This gets people involved in their own safety and security,” hesaid. “It allows them to be a part of things by somewhat being oureyes and ears for us. It’s a great tool of communication betweenthe citizens and the sheriff’s department.”

It also makes them more aware of precautions to take within theirhomes, Boyte said. It mentions precautions such as writing downserial numbers of electronics and firearms, among other things.

“We had civilians working to inventory their homes and keeping alist of serial numbers and putting it in a safety deposit box,” hesaid. “Without serial numbers, when stolen property turns up,authorities can’t always tell who to take it back to.”

Also, Rushing said it just makes sense to involve citizens of thecommunity in looking for things that are out of place because theyare more familiar with their home environment than a patrol officermight be.

“You’re more likely to know your neighbors than just a deputy onpatrol is,” he said. “You’re going to know better who’s supposed tobe there and who isn’t. You’ll know the suspicious vehicles betterthan we do, and you’ll know what’s out of place in your own homearea.”

Boyte said the program proved successful reduced robberiessubstantially while he was in office. In some cases, he said, itactually scares criminals.

“I’ve had robbers tell me, ‘One thing we don’t do is rob houseswhere we see Neighborhood Watch signs,'” he said.

The Citizen’s Handbook for the Neighborhood Watch Program, which isavailable at the sheriff’s department, lists suggestions of what tolook for for people joining the program. One of those things istrusting your instincts and reacting quickly to a suspicioussituation.

It states, “If you are in doubt – CALL THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. Adeputy is the one who will make the determination whether somethingis wrong.”

Boyte said the point is to work together.

“The sole purpose of Neighborhood Watch is to unite law enforcementand the community, but let’s face it, we’re outnumbered,” he said.”But if we have 35,000 people in Lincoln County reportingsuspicious activity, it’s a great tool to have in place.”