Roseboro Community Watch leader Betty Maxwell would loving nothing more than to know her organization is as relevant and well respected today as when she joined it several years ago.

However, over the years, she said she’s noticed a few trends that have perpetuated a lack of interest, and she hopes to reverse those trends and bring back the support of the community that is needed now more than ever.

Maxwell, who has been a member of the group for seven years, said she has noticed differences in the group since the Sampson County Sheriff’s Department took over law enforcement in the small western town.

“We don’t always feel comfortable talking with the deputies,” Maxwell attested. In the past, she commented that law enforcement officials for the town took a more active role in the Community Watch group. More specifically, an officer used to attend meetings regularly, she said. However recently, she has noticed that role has become more passive.

“We used to know the officers personally, but you don’t have that with the Sheriff’s Department ... We just don’t have that closeness,” Maxwell commented.

Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said he and/or a representative from his department would be more than happy to attend meetings, but he has not been made aware of when or where they take place. Currently, he pointed out, a sergeant or a deputy will attend the town commissioners meetings, but that was at the request of the town.

Regardless, he stressed, “We can make sure someone is there.”

However support from the town’s law enforcement is just one area in whichMaxwell feels work needs to be done.

“We also need some young people at our meetings. Most of the people who come have been with us all the time,” Maxwell stressed.

The Community Watch leader is adamant that bringing teenagers and young adults into the fold would have a positive impact and help keep the gang problem at bay.

While she said she doesn’t see signs of the problem now, in the past, she has noticed signs being destroyed by gang symbols being spray painted on them and houses being broken into.

Her mission is to ensure that those problems don’t creep back into the town during 2010.

By not having young people investing interest in Community Watch, Maxwell stressed, members continue to wonder how they will know if gangs are infiltrating Roseboro.

“How are we going to know if we don’t have young people coming?” Maxwell asked.

In addition, she commented that this would help to encourage more young people to participate and become actively involved in their community.

Thornton agrees that having young people at these meetings would be a benefit to the group, if they were given an active role.

More specifically, Thornton commented, “They would need to be more aware of what to look for (with crime).”

To help spark a renewed interest in Community Watch, Maxwell stressed that the group has held events. For example, she pointed out that the group had a Day in the Park in October.

“We wanted to make people aware of it, but they would not sign up to take part,” Maxwell noted.

Those interested in taking part in the Roseboro’s Community Watch can attend their meetings, held the first Monday of each month, 7 p.m., at the Roseboro Town Hall.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.