Following a neighborhood watch informational meeting Nov. 6, nearly 50 area residents at the Belle-Bland Community Center agreed to meet again Dec. 5 for an organizational meeting.

Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said between now and the next meeting, those interested in starting a neighborhood watch need to coordinate information with others.

“I think we already have a volunteer for someone to take charge; and designate some people to get some patrols going,” Heitman said.

Lt. Scott John, who created and presented the presentation Wednesday night, advised the group to find block captains to represent every 15 or so residences.

“A block captain should know everyone who lives there (in the residences), how many, their medical issues, and names,” John said. “The job is crucial to the program’s success.”

Officers also suggested the group’s neighborhood watch coordinator be someone with lots of time, who is retired or a stay at home professional.

Terry Connors, new owner of the Belle Motel and a 29-year career veteran who recently relocated to Belle from Florida, volunteered to be the coordinator. No one else volunteered to be a block captain or coordinator.

“I definitely suggest a citizen’s advisory board,” John added.

Belle Marshal Joe Turnbough, Sgt. Brian Brennan, and, at one point, patrolman Jerry Coborn, were also present. Coborn was on duty during the meeting and left after a brief stay.

“Write down ideas,” Turnbough said.

John said the most important thing for citizens to do is be alert. There were 7.2 billion property crimes in the United States last year.

There are currently eight full-time sworn deputies working in Maries County, including the Belle school resource officer and court bailiff, for 9,761 residents.

“Take those away, there are six,” John said. “That is one deputy per 1,200 people.”

There are three full-time, sworn officers for the 1,545 residents of Belle.

“One officer per 515 citizens,” John said. “We are outnumbered. So having a neighborhood watch program is vital to help us get information. We will help you, help give advice, and leave it with you,” he said.

Once citizens commented that too many people want to post about the problems on Facebook instead of attending the meeting and finding a solution. Heitman said it was up to the group that attended the first meeting to put the information out there and get their neighbors to attend the coming meeting.

“At some point we have to take our community back,” Turnbough said. “It’s ours.”

The organizational neighborhood watch meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Belle-Bland Community Center.