MARION — A new initiative is under way in Marion to help keep the city safe.
Members of Fox Watch, the city’s new crime watch committee, recently received a $6,000 check from the city to jump start its efforts.
“Fox Watch is an attempt to involved the citizens of Marion with our police department in an effort to fight crime,” Marion Mayor Rodney Berry said. “Most people agree it takes a village to raise a child and the truth (is), in today’s environment, it takes a village to fight crime.”
Marion City Council members have appointed two residents apiece for each of their districts to serve as captains on the committee. The group has 15 members so far, but will be recruiting additional volunteers.
“They will serve as spokespersons for their respective districts and conduct business for the committee,” Berry said.
The mayor said he hopes to launch the campaign by organizing city-funded cookouts in each council district.
“These cookouts will serve as a means to organize the districts and inform and educate the community in regards to fighting crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Fox Watch logo has been unveiled and will be used in yard signs, decals, bumper stickers, shirts and other ways to show the city’s serious stand in promoting “a zero tolerance attitude toward crime,” Berry said.
Teresa Schultz, a member of a local crime watch group, said the formation of Fox Watch means Marion residents are getting what they asked for — and there is plenty of work ahead for them.
“It’s a good cause and will benefit everybody,” she said.
Berry said Fox Watch is in the process of compiling an extensive e-mail and telephone contact list that will be used to alert and keep residents abreast of criminal activity. A telephone hotline also will be established so that residents can report non-emergency tips to Fox Watch.
The next step, he said, is seeking a building downtown to serve as a police substation and Fox Watch headquarters to have a strong presence downtown.
“Small business owners have too much to worry about in making profits than have to worry about someone robbing them,” he said.
The Fox Watch message is very simple, Berry said.
“The city of Marion will not tolerate crime and it is our intent to aggressively deter crime by all means necessary,” he said. “With the collaboration from all our citizens we can serve notice to the criminal element in a very effective way.”
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