FERRIDAY— The neighborhood watch program in Ferriday is getting closer to reality as community leaders and residents are stepping up to the plate.

The program was first mentioned in July, and Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin said he is still in support of the program.

“I hope it gets done,” he said. “I am all for it, we just need to get more folks in the neighborhood warmed up to the idea.”

Alderman Johnnie Brown said at the next aldermen meeting he plans to have the program instituted.

“I plan to introduce an ordinance establishing the program where by we can, with the help of the Ferriday Police Department and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, implement procedures and establish monthly meetings,” he said.

Brown said he does not have enough time to oversee the program, but he is currently working on finding someone for the job.

“I am not at this point in position to make sure everything is taken care of,” he said. “I just don’t have the time right now to be in charge.”

Brown said the need for the program is undeniable, and he has already been receiving calls about the neighborhood watch program.

“I have gotten quite a big response from citizens saying they want to participate,” he said. “It’s just about formulating meetings and getting the required people to come out and take charge.”

FPD Chief Kenneth Hedrick is going to be helping with the program and said he thinks neighborhood watch can help make Ferriday a better place.

“I really encourage participation on this,” he said. “It will benefit the neighborhood greatly.”

Hedrick said the one thing the program is lacking as of right now is participation from area residents.

“It will work great, but we have to have contribution from people to get moving,” he said.

Contacting area churches and asking the aldermen to get volunteers from their districts are a few ways Hedrick said more people will be rallied.

“We need community participation,” he said

Hedrick said a neighborhood watch can help officers respond to crimes better.

“We don’t have enough police to go around to every place and make sure nothing is going wrong,” he said. “And people will do things in front of citizens they won’t do in front of cops.”

Hedrick said that while he has never worked on a neighborhood watch, the program is getting help from other agencies to learn how things should be run.

“The sheriff’s office is giving us assistance on this,” he said.

“We are getting ideas and literature from them that we are going to go along with.”

Hedrick said the possible help in solving burglaries, thefts and drug crimes through the program would be a great asset to Ferriday.

“It will be a good thing to bring the community together,” he said. “I just want to encourage people to be in support of this program.”