One doesn't have to look far on Facebook to see complaints of theft or vandalism in Roundup. You can even drive around town and see buildings that have been "tagged". It is becoming more common in our small, safe community to see this activity increasing. Whether it is Billings crime coming this way, increased drug use in the community, or the influx of new population, or all three, everyone can see that changes are coming to Roundup. While most changes are positive, we all need to work together to prevent criminal activity.

Longtime resident Cameron McCleary has stepped up to the task and has begun a neighborhood watch program for the town of Roundup. With building frustration due to criminal mischief within his own neighborhood, he started a Facebook page called Roundup Neighborhood Watch. The page is gaining more and more support, and it offers a place for people to share their frustrations and communicate about activity that they see.

Once begun, Cameron realized that there was more to starting the group than just starting a Facebook page. Neighborhood watches need signs. In order to take donations to purchase signs, he needed an account for the funds. In order to have the account, he needed to create the account as a business to be recognized by the bank. To create a business that is nonprofit, there was even more paperwork to be filed with the state. He then needed approval from the sheriff's department. Cameron discovered that the Federal government doesn't recognize neighborhood watches as organizations, so it was hard to get a tax exempt 501-3-c status. Cameron resolved the problem by creating an LLC.

Cameron has labored through the process on his own, and now he is hoping that the community will support the work he has done by getting involved in the project. He is hoping to raise enough money to buy signs for every street in town, and get each neighborhood on board. Any excess money will go into purchasing camera equipment and doing raffles so that people might have a way to document criminal activity. Then it is up to the sheriff's department to use the evidence.

Cameron reminds the public that people even in the Neighborhood Watch, are not law enforcement. If anyone sees something suspicious, they need to call the sheriffs department. Do not attempt a citizens' arrest or vigilante justice. Posting on the Facebook group page and calling sheriffs department are proactive ways of helping prevent further criminal activity.

According to lawaspect.com, neighborhood watches have proven to prevent crime, build community relationships, give a sense of wellbeing and safety within the neighborhood, and repour with law enforcement.

If you would like to get involved in Roundup Neighborhood Watch, and/or make a greatly appreciated donation to the Roundup Neighborhood Watch, contact Cameron McCleary at 406-913-1031. To report an incident to the sheriff's department, call 406-323-1402. Together the Roundup community can help restore the security we so often have taken for granted.