GENTRY -- A number of Gentry citizens have formed a Neighborhood Watch group and have begun patrolling the business and residential areas of the city.
According to a release from Keith Smith, Gentry's police chief, the group formed on Feb. 18 and has "already become active in patrolling the business areas and neighborhoods of Gentry." According to Smith, the group is doing after-hours checks on local businesses and "are conducting observation patrols for suspicious persons and activity."
"I want to be very clear with our citizens that the Neighborhood Watch group holds no formal or informal association with the Gentry Police Department or the city of Gentry as a government entity," Smith wrote in the release. "They are, in fact, a local civic group trying to be helpful to our city and, as such, have no law-enforcement authority in this state."
Smith said the group must, just like every other citizen, abide by city ordinances and state laws.
Smith said he has received several inquiries and questions about the law as it pertains to such citizen groups, as well as a few complaints.
"The police department and our officers have no more or less authority and oversight of the group than any other citizen unless a complaint is lodged with our department based on a violation of local, state or federal law or a law enforcement officer personally witnesses a violation of a law," Smith wrote.
"Citizens and business owners have a right to decide who is or is not allowed on their property," Smith wrote. "If a group such as this were checking doors on Main Street, after hours, and are approaching the businesses from a 'public' walkway, this is not and will not be investigated as trespassing," he said. "If a group such as this approaches a business via an alleyway, behind or beside a business and enters your (private) property without your permission, those persons may be charged accordingly," he added.
"If a group such as this were to interfere with traffic flow, create public panic or interfere with a police officer in the performance of his or her duties, its members may be subject to charges or on-site arrest, depending on each situation at the time," Smith wrote.
Smith said that no one has any reason to believe members of the newly-formed group would conduct themselves in any manner other than what is lawful and appropriate.
"To that end, I appreciate all citizens assisting the police department and our staff with being vigilant in watching for and reporting suspicious activities and crimes in progress," Smith wrote. "As always, the Gentry Police Department is here to serve you, our citizens. Please feel free to call or stop by with any questions or concerns you may have."
General News on 02/26/2014