Roachdale, ready to react

Friday, July 31, 2015
Rachel Mandeville (from left), Kayla Mahoy, Mike Mahoy, Amanda Mahoy and Debbie Sillery met Thursday evening at the Roachdale Town Hall to hold initial discussions of a community watch program. (Banner Graphic/Nick Wilson)

ROACHDALE -- The good folk in northeastern Putnam County have decided to take a stand.

Recent graffiti, loitering and the presence of suspicious persons led to a Thursday evening discussion at Roachdale's Town Hall, where five concerned citizens began the process of establishing a neighborhood watch program.

The informal committee, headed by Roachdale's Town Marshal Mike Mahoy, consists of Rachel Mandeville, Kayla Mahoy, Amanda Mahoy, Debbie Sillery, Jennifer Sillery and Kristy Mitchell -- the latter of which were unable to attend, but the entire group will be insisting on a community watch program at the next official town board meeting.

Several incentives were discussed Thursday to promote resident involvement, including (but not limited to) sponsorship programs for those who stay out of trouble, a curfew for person's under the age of 18 and scholarship programs to help under privileged youth advance in life. Community service was also mentioned as a possible alternative, as well.

Mahoy and company are spearheading the project, but wanted to to make one thing clear.

"We're still in the early phases to try to help Roachdale to become a better community," Mahoy said. "The main reason why we started this is because we're having more problems with young kids with graffiti at the park and things like that, so we started enforcing things like a curfew violation.

"It's not because we want the kids to suffer," Mahoy continued. "We just want to teach them how to live in this town in a responsible way. In order for this to work, people in the community are going to have to help."

Keeping one's eyes open and contacting the police department concerning any suspicious activity was highlighted at the meeting.

"We want people to remain watchful," Mahoy said. "When people see us coming down the street, whether they're a juvenile or adult, if they're doing something they're not supposed to, especially at night time, they're going to see me -- they're not going to be breaking into a car."

However, Mahoy is only one man, and can only be in so many places at once. That's where the community comes in, and not without benefit. Mahoy took the time to explain some of the potential advantages, while stressing that the process is still in the early stages and will soon be officially presented to the town board for adoption.

"It would be one of those things, where we, as a group, can decide what the criteria is," Mahoy said. "You'd be surprised how many [organizations] around here would be willing to donate money."

School involvement in the form of essay contests, a penny campaign and Casey's General Store as a potential donor were discussed.

With all this in mind, the committee of concerned citizens, with the support of the local police department, will be presenting this option to the town board in hopes of establishing a program in which citizens can legally deter crime.

Residents are encouraged to visit the group's social media outlet for more information at facebook.com/RoachdaleCommunityWatch and facebook.com/roachdalepolicedepartment.

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