By Karen Blackledge
DANVILLE — The Neighborhood Watch Program in Danville has more than 40 members and already has helped police bust a case involving a group of young vandals.
“We started out with 20-some people, and it blew up to 40-some,” Danville Mayor Ed Coleman said.
Since Charlie Stinger, of Danville, was appointed program coordinator, “He has been doing a real good job,” the mayor said.
Stinger has been scheduling guest speakers for the monthly meetings.
“We want people to come and take part and find out about their community. We are not vigilantes,” Stinger said.
A recent graffiti spray-painting incident, resulting in the quick arrests of juveniles, hit home with Stinger, whose neighbors were affected. Another neighbor’s car was ransacked and items stolen.
The graffiti victim knocked at Stinger’s door. He immediately notified the mayor, who called Danville police.
In the car incident, the man called Stinger because he didn’t know what to do. Again, Stinger notified the mayor, who alerted police.
“Charlie keeps a good eye on the neighborhood. He knows all the neighbors on the street and keeps in contact with the community to report anything they see,” Coleman said.
Those attending meetings are of all ages. “We have people in their 20s to 80-something,” said Stinger, who grew up in Philadelphia and has lived in Danville for 22 years.
“I grew up in a nice neighborhood in Philadelphia and saw it go down. After serving in the Army for three years from 1966-69, I didn’t recognize the neighborhood,” Stinger said.
Coleman said some people have attended Neighborhood Watch meetings from nearby townships because they roots or relatives in Danville.
The Neighborhood Watch Program is in its early stages. It was formed about 10 months ago.
Coleman pushed for the program, and Danville Police Chief Eric Gill also wanted to see the program become a reality. “He has four kids and the town at heart,” the mayor said.
Gill’s wife, Dawn, has been instrumental in getting the program off the ground by helping with presentations and notifying people about meetings, he said.
When the watch program was being formed, Chief Gill presented information to the group and usually speaks at the meetings.
Montour County District Attorney Robert Buehner Jr. was the guest speaker at last month’s meeting.
Columbia-Montour Judge Thomas James will speak to the group during a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Danville Middle School library. “When I called him, he said he would be delighted to speak,” Stinger said.
“Practically everyone contributes at the meetings with questions and comments,” he added.
County Sheriff Ray Gerringer will be guest speaker for the November meeting. Meetings usually are held on the third Wednesday of the month.
Stinger can be reached at www.danvillenwatch@yahoo.com, and the mayor can be reached at mayor98@ptd.net.
