More than 75 march against crime in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — More than 75 people decided to "take a stand" against crime Saturday by attending a kickoff march for a neighborhood watch program, with 53 signing up to participate.

The marchers initially met on the Poplar Bluff Public Library parking lot before beginning their walk up Main Street to the former Wheatley School building on Garfield.

The Rev. Keith Frye, pastor of Central Missionary Baptist Church, told the group how appreciative he was of everyone attending.

"My heart is pleased to see the diversity and the participation that we have of our citizens that really have concerns about taking a stand against crime," Frye said. "If you read the papers, this thing has manifested into something that if we don't get a hold onto it, Poplar Bluff may not be a safe place to live."

Frye complimented the law enforcement officers for the excellent job they do.

The Poplar Bluff Police Department, he said, has 47 officers and more than 17,000 citizens to look after, "so they're going to need our help."

"The Bible tells us that the strong shall bear the infirmaries of the weak, and truly we are our brother's keepers," he said. "We need to look out for each other."

Frye said the Bible also speaks about law enforcement and city officials.

"They are ordained by God and are ministers of God, so we need to support them," Frye said.

Three Poplar Bluff ministers then said prayers for the city, county, nation and law enforcement before the group departed. Applause erupted when the final amen was said.

"We're going to do this thing, are you all with me?" asked Frye.

"Yeahs" echoed through the cool morning air in response.

The marchers, many wearing black T-shirts with the slogan "take a stand join neighborhood watch," then began their trek as they were led by a police squad car and a banner displaying the same slogan.

Along the way, some were heard shouting "take a stand."

Upon arriving at Wheatley School, the marchers were joined by others to learn more about the neighborhood watch program.

"This looks like we are going to take a stand," Frye said. " ¿ It lets me know we do have some citizens here in Poplar Bluff that do care."

Frye's presentation provided those in attendance with a surface view of what a neighborhood watch program is.

"When you talk about neighborhood watch, that's just what it is — a neighborhood watch, a community watch, community patrol," Frye explained.

As citizens, Frye said, they don't want to do the job of law enforcement, but be someone who says "Hey, we're watching you. ¿ Our eyes are on you."

The hope, he said, is to get to a point where the citizens can identify strange vehicles on their block.

"This is what it is all about, knowing your neighbors," Frye said. "You've been on your block long enough to know when there is a strange car there or when someone strange is there."

Frye recalled when he was younger how he couldn't get away with anything because "the neighbors told on me," making it possible for his grandmother to always know what was happening.

"We need to get back to them days ¿where we are our brother's keeper," Frye said.

While sign ups were held Saturday, he said, the ultimate goal is to identify leaders.

"We're going to divide the city into sections ¿ we need some leaders, block captains," Frye said. "We need a committee because we can't stop here.

"(Signing up) is the first step. It cannot stop here."

By forming a committee, Frye said, the plan is to organize the program as a not-for-profit and use it to sponsor community activities to let the criminals know "we're sticking together" and not going to fade away.

"We're going to be right here, taking a stand," he said.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley said neighborhood watches have been attempted a few times before, but "we've never had this support. I think we're on the right track."

Whiteley reiterated what Frye had said about "taking responsibility for our kids, making kids take responsibility (and) parents take responsibility. We can make this thing work.

"We're all Poplar Bluff citizens, and we want things to operate safely and smoothly and not have events like we had not too long ago."

Whiteley was referencing a Jan. 24 incident in which Pastor John McCain of Conley Grove and New Life Missionary Baptist churches was attacked by a group of young men on the corner of Fifth and West Harper street as he picked his teenage daughter up at Operation Off Street.

McCain's wife, Monica, said, they have put the attack behind them, and have been rejoicing over the community coming together to say "enough is enough. ¿ All we have to do is stand together and speak the truth."

If everybody continues, Whiteley said, this will work. "If we've got people who will stand up and be counted, we'll get the job done," he said.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said he has "long been told you can only police a community as much as it is willing to be policed.

" ¿ You can only help the people willing to be helped. If you're gathered here today, you're demonstrating you're willing to be helped."

Dobbs said when something happens in a neighborhood, "most likely, I'm not going to be there; the chief is not going to be there.

"There's a good chance these officers aren't going to be there. The people in the neighborhood are there, and we rely heavily upon the people in the neighborhood."

While officers get the credit when arrests are made, Dobbs said, their "eyes and ears" providing the information tend go unrecognized.

"In essence, we can't accomplish much without the people in the community," Dobbs explained. "If you're not out there watching, helping, taking a stand, being a hero for your neighbor ¿ You're important."

Dobbs acknowledged there are intimidation factors.

"I know there are people who don't want you to show up (to court); they don't want you to say what you saw, but you've got to take a stand," Dobbs said. "You've got to stand up."

Dobbs said both the sheriff's and police departments will be there "every step of the way to help you out, to get you through that process (and) make sure you're not put in harm's way ¿ but you've got to stand up. You've got to stick together."

Deputy Police Chief Jeff Rolland agreed.

"If someone tries to intimidate you ¿ you need to call us; we'll take care of it," Rolland said. "We can be intimidating."

Rolland said the law gives them leeway in dealing with those situations, allowing them to ask the prosecutor for extra charges and judges for higher bonds.

"Like the sheriff said, we can only police as much as you will let us. ¿ We need you to put us to work," Rolland said. " ¿ The police department is your police department.

We serve you. You helping us is us helping you. If you're committed (to the program), we're committed."

The next meeting, during which a chairperson and committee will be selected, will be held at 10 a.m. April 4 at the Wheatley School.