Clinton community members have been working this summer to start up a community watch program.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Police Chief Ben Lowers applauded the efforts of community members to make our community safer. He says the program is essentially a coordinated effort of residents being good neighbors to one another.

According to the Chief, this is not a new concept to the city but in recent years, enthusiasm and interest in the program have fallen off. Thanks to recent thefts of neighborhood bikes and the continuing motor vehicle thefts, residents are coming together to revive this program.

Chief Lowers indicates it can be beneficial for a neighborhood watch group to pop up in several parts of the community but overall he says it all comes to a message he has given time after time and that is this all comes down to being a good neighbor and knowing your neighbors.

Chief Lowers says if you are interested in starting a neighborhood watch program with your neighbors, you can contact the police non-emergency line at 217-935-9441. One of his officers would be willing to walk through the program's relationship with police and what everyone can do to make neighborhoods safer.