Broadway Neighborhood Watch group to meet monthly

At its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 30, the Broadway Neighborhood Watch group decided to meet monthly at the same location, the former chapel in the old St. Elizabeth’s Hospital building at 109 Virginia.
Although the first two meetings have been on Tuesdays, future meetings will begin at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, with the next meeting scheduled on Nov. 6.
The Rev. Jim and Nancy Allen agreed to lead the group, and may be contacted at (573) 629-8551 to answer questions. Jim Allen is pastor of the Fresh Fire Ministries church, which holds services in this chapel at 10 a.m. Sundays.
Jim Allen explained that John Zumwalt, owner of the building, had asked if he would be willing to host the neighborhood watch meetings in the chapel.
Zumwalt attended the first meeting, where he requested the neighbors look out for each other and also asked them to notify the police if any suspicious activity takes place on the parking lot, where earlier some American Red Cross trailers were severely damaged.
All residents of nearby streets, including Broadway, Virginia, Magnolia and Chestnut, have been invited to the meetings.
“We would like to encourage everyone who feels responsible to come and share what they have to share and put it all together,” Jim Allen said. “Maybe we can make it a little safer place for everybody.”
Cpl. Brian Allen of the Hannibal Police Department again led the meeting on Tuesday, and continued to offer advice to the group gathered in the chapel.
At the first meeting he offered to provide some signs designating the neighborhood watch, probably including two on Broadway. He also can provide decals and window stickers.
Asked if he thinks the number of criminal incidents in the area has decreased since the watch group was organized, Jim Allen said he believes the area will have a greater change after the signs have been installed.
Cpl. Allen told the group the police help with the organization of a neighborhood watch group but are not in charge and will not attend each meeting. He will attend the November meeting, he added.
“Look out for each other,” Cpl. Allen said. “That’s what a neighborhood watch is all about.”
Each person attending the meeting was provided with a booklet of advice about a neighborhood watch program, and Cpl. Allen added details about some of the advice in the booklet. He encourage everyone to not hesitate to report any suspicious activity, loitering that is not normal, extra foot traffic or cars going to a location, and vehicles being driven around repeatedly.
Also, he said, “if you see someone looking into cars, they are looking to see what they can take. ...Report anyone with any sort of weapon, or anyone running and carrying something valuable.”
Another thing that should be reported, Allen said, is being offered items for sale at extremely low prices, because “they may be stolen,” and report a vehicle loaded with valuables at an unoccupied house or business.
Also report a parked car with a driver, vehicles that depart with the lights off, or “someone dashing to a vehicle.”
At the first meeting Allen had listed the things to remember about a person’s appearance and details to remember about a vehicle. After repeating some of these items Tuesday, he said, “the more details you can give, the easier it is for us to catch somebody.
“Cell phones are a good tool,” he added, for someone out walking or shopping. “And take a flashlight to walk at night.”
“Practice observation techniques,” he said. “Learn to recognize suspicious activity.
“And when you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate. Call us. That’s what we’re there for.”