ARMIDALE residents are joining forces with police and each other, following a troubling period of increased anti-social behaviour.
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A community meeting will nail down the details about the Neighbourhood Watch group next week.
The group is the brainchild of residents’ Kathy Clare and Bev Hunt, after they shared concerns over community safety.
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Ms Clare said a seeming spike in crime and anti-social behaviour sparked the idea for community-run group.
“It’s more about putting a bit of heart back in the community, getting people to know their neighbours and reclaiming the old fashioned values,” she said.
Community representatives met with the city’s police at the Armidale PCYC on Tuesday, for a planning meeting.
Ms Clare said more than 70 people had already expressed interest in being part of the community watch group.
“It was a debrief to see what the police expect of us but also to get their input,” she said.
Since the beginning of July, there have been two armed robberies in the city.
One of the incidents involved two men entering a Taylor Street home armed with a knife and shovel, and stealing a wallet, iPhone, keys and cash.
“I think rather than sitting behind a keyboard … we should being active members in the community,” Ms Clare said.
“It’s about bringing the issues out into the public and seeing what Armidale as a community can do to have apositive input to getting something done.”
Next Tuesday’s community meeting will be held at the Armidale City Bowling Club from 6pm.
