KINGSTON – Strength in numbers was the idea Thursday evening as the newly formed Kingston Neighborhood Watch embarked on their inaugural march through Midtown Kingston to spread awareness of their presence and purpose.

Watch members take to the streets Right: Watch co-founder Michael D'Arcy talks to a police officer

Their first official community walk began at the George Washington Elementary School, their path taking them to Broadway before dispersing. By spreading awareness the Kingston Neighborhood Watch hopes to inspire citizens to create a safer community, said Neighborhood Watch co-founder Michael D’Arcy. 

“The main goal is to deter people from doing violent types of crimes: muggings, robberies, and things like that,” he said. “Everybody has their own level of participation, but the Neighborhood Watch’s goal is to improve the quality of life of the people who aren’t of the criminal aspects that happen to live in areas that might not be the safest.”

D’Arcy’s wife, Claudia, is a co-founder of the group.

“There is really no reason to be feeling isolated, alone, and having to hide. There are a lot of people out here that have the same concerns and are willing, bodied, able, and ready to take a stand, and say there is a certain quality of life we would like back in our city.”

Midtown resident Kim Letus came out wearing her official Kingston Neighborhood Watch shirt. “We have some problems in the neighborhood that I think need to be addressed and I think Mike is on the right track.” In her opinion, Kingston is worth fighting for and the way to do that is by joining the Neighborhood Watch or similar groups focused on making the community a brighter place.

Kingston Police Chief Gerald Keller showed his support for the Neighborhood Watch Thursday evening by praising their organization. “Any effort where people are out looking for and reporting crime and showing others that somebody is watching I think is a good effort absolutely.”