Who is really behind your neighborhood watch?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Chances are, you’ve seen neighborhood watch signs posted all over Richmond County.

It’s meant to deter crime, but have you ever wondered, who’s actually behind the sign?

The answer led us to learn that it’s not a single person or group behind the signs. It’s also not about who put them there, but who’s behind them.

“We were having problems with coming off the highway, coming off the interstate, running from the police,” said Patricia Ann Geter, community activist.

Geter founded the Augusta Six, a group of six communities that ed together for a neighborhood watch.

And she hopes that with a new sheriff in Richmond County, it can really take off.

“It makes me feel good that Sheriff Brantley is reaching out to the community because you need community, officers can’t do everything, they don’t see everything, it’s just human,” said Geter.

Patricia says the watch has evolved online.

“We are very active on it, we look at things on there online every day,” said Sergeant Corey Carlyle with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. “When I come in every morning, I go to our website for the sheriff’s office and start looking at the emails that are coming in.”

The sheriff’s office says they work with groups like Geter’s to help them fight crime.

“There are a lot of people on our page, and when they see something on Wrightsboro Road, Laney Walker, wherever they mention it on the page, and if something is needed, we move forward and try to assist them with what’s needed.”

Carlyle says all you have to do to form your own community watch is go to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office website to , as well as a list of tips and ideas to help secure your neighborhood.

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