MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -
The Madisonville Police Department has some new partners in the fight against crime.
There are now six neighborhood watch programs, including the latest one on the north side of town.
The newest watch program is in the Northaven subdivision and what's unique is, it was started all on a volunteer basis.
A few months ago, Staryla Knight approached the Madisonville Police about some issues in her neighborhood.
"We're just learning ways we can do things the proper way instead of just trying to take something on ourselves," Knight said.
Knight is now the captain of her watch program and says the main concern is traffic, she lives next to a high school, and with a main bridge closed near the school, that leaves their neighborhood as the only available route.
"A lot of the high school kids cut through here going home after school, going to school in the morning and there's a lot of kids in the neighborhood and we just want to keep them safe," Knight pointed out.
Since Knight met with police, MPD has taken action to try and stop the problem.
"We took four officers with unmarked cars and sat our there and set up and we stopped, we gave warnings, and citations to try and make them aware and try and slow them down a little bit," said Madisonville Police Chief Wade Williams.
Williams says they try and meet once a month with all of the watch programs to discuss what concerns they have, while also teaching residents how some useful tips.
"It would involve just how to not be a victim, how to be a good witness, how to make your house burglar proof," he said.
"The police department is wanting to build more neighborhood watches and we're hoping that we can be an example of what a neighborhood watch can do," said Knight.
"Crime is not just a police problem, it's a community problem and we pull these neighborhoods together and let us help them and them help us," Williams said.
And police say they're welcome to more watch programs. If you're interested in starting your own, just contact the Madisonville Police Department.
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The newest watch program is in the Northaven subdivision and what's unique is, it was started all on a volunteer basis.
