By Maria Allard
C & G Staff Writer

ST. CLAIR SHORES — St. Clair Shores residents and business owners are encouraged to attend a Neighborhood and Business Watch kick-off meeting at 7 p.m. May 8 at City Hall, located at 11 Mile Road and Jefferson.

The meeting, the first of its kind in many years, will provide information to residents and business owners about what they can do to help keep the city safer.

Cherie Mascarello, St. Clair Shores Police community resource officer, said they decided to hold a meeting after hearing that many residents were interested in reviving the neighborhood watch.

The idea of a neighborhood watch is to encourage neighbors to look out for one another and to be more aware of what is occurring in their neighborhoods. The meeting will provide tips to residents on ways to be proactive by preventing crime and how to observe, recognize and report suspicious activity.

“It’s going back to when neighbors knew what other neighbors were doing,” Mascarello said. “It’s neighbors paying attention to who should be there and who shouldn’t be there.”

A neighborhood watch is designed to deter criminal activity. The program is designed to create a stronger sense of security and stimulate neighborhood awareness. Police said it reduces the risk of becoming the victim of a crime.

Mascarello also said Hardy and Sons will donate neighborhood and business watch signs.

“Any of the streets involved will get a street sign,” Mascarello said.

Mascarello said the idea of a neighborhood watch is not for residents to handle situations themselves, but to know when to call police if suspicious activity occurs.

“It’s just to be a good neighbor,” she said.

If any residents or business owners see something suspicious in the neighborhood, they can call 911 or the non-emergency (586) 445-5222.

For more information log onto www.scspdcrimewatch.net.

You can reach Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045.