ADAMS TWP — Supervisors and police are in support of the neighborhood watch group being formed by resident Gail Carpenter.

Carpenter told the supervisors at their Monday night meeting that the residents she spoke with agree that the national drug epidemic “needs local assistance.”

She said the neighborhood watch group would serve as extra eyes for the township police.

Carpenter asked the supervisors to provide “Neighborhood Watch” signs and the labor to erect them in parts of the township.

“We are looking for your decision to support the concept so drug dealers know you might not want to come into this area,” she said.

She said the purpose of the group would be twofold: to keep criminals out and to provide the contact information for addicts to call and get help.

“We want this to be a very positive message,” Carpenter said.

The supervisors seemed receptive to the idea.

“I think as a board we are 150 percent behind whatever needs to be done,” said Supervisor Russ Ford.

Robert Scanlon, the township's assistant police chief, said he and Police Chief Shawn Anglum discussed the matter after being approached by Carpenter.

“We think it's a good way to build a relationship with the community,” Scanlon said Wednesday, “and additional eyes and ears can also alert us to any criminal activity and provide a quicker response to it.”

Scanlon said Adams police have seen an increase in crime as drug activity has increase in recent years across the nation.

“We've had some break-ins of cars and homes,” he said.

He said a neighborhood watch program and its signs would also raise awareness among residents to call 911 immediately when they see suspicious activity.

“Hopefully it will deter criminal activity from coming in, too,” Scanlon said.

Carpenter plans to approach the homeowners' associations in each residential development in the township in the hopes that each neighborhood would have its own watch program, Scanlon said.