Volunteers are trained to never approach a situation. If they see suspicious activity, they are to contact police. They also receive training on how to be an effective witness, how to interact with police and how to handle illegally placed signs on public land, including business advertisements and garage sale notices.

Arlie and Nancy Sheehy are members of the Walnut Ridge and Elk Creek Crossing neighborhood patrol, which was formed in 2015. They feel like they’re “helping give back to the community” by donating their time, Nancy Sheehy said.

“You learn that the police are doing a lot more than we ever gave them credit for,” she said. “I have more respect for the department.”

Fundraisers like the chili feed are important because each neighborhood’s group pays for its own equipment, and volunteers pay for their own gas. Larger neighborhoods can have as many as 65 members.

The Sheehys said they have learned a lot from their captain, Jerry Schulte, 65. He led the Northwest Tri “C” patrol before moving last year and starting a new watch group.