LITTLETON — Building new relationships take time and patience, as Littleton Police Det. Gregory Bolton and Officer Herbert Williams will attest.

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Bolton and Williams are working on building a Community Watch program to encompass the entire town and the two have their hands full trying to generate interest and get the message out.

The efforts are part of a stimulus fund grant from the federal government specifically designed to promote community involvement in law enforcement. The hope is as people become involved, they learn to care for and protect each other.

Chief Mike Suggs said he remembers a time when the community worked with law enforcement, but mostly took care of itself. “When I was growing up everybody knew each other and helped each other out. If I went up the street and got myself in trouble, I got a spanking up the street. By the time I got home my mama and daddy knew what I did and I got a spanking again,” said Suggs.

He continued. “Now, I’m not encouraging neighbors to spank anybody’s children, but the point is everybody knew each other and helped each other. There was trust.”

Suggs and Bolton said they hope these neighborhood meetings will help develop a new level of trust in Littleton and give people an opportunity to meet and get to know their neighbors. They said they hope the meetings will give people a new sense of empowerment.

He said even though Littleton is a quiet town, having people work together to be sure it stays that way can only be a good thing.

“It would be nice to get things to where people feel safe in their homes, where they know there is something they can do to make a difference and they know we’re going to be there to help them,” said Suggs.

“The meetings are a chance to learn things and be informed,” said Bolton. He said people can learn about their rights as citizens and the laws which protect them.

“We want to inform people about things like drugs, domestic violence and things they can do to protect themselves,” said Bolton. He said he hopes the meetings will help people overcome their fears about getting involved.

Suggs said the department is looking for leaders and volunteers to help with organizing. “We need people who want to get involved, people who are interested in making a difference.”

Suggs said the department plans to hold its next meeting in February. If you’re interested in being part of the program call the department at 252-586-3413.