Police admit that they can't prevent crime on their own, that it takes the cooperation of the people who live in the neighborhoods where the crime is happening.
Block watches are a good way for people to get to know their neighbors and be aware of what is going on around them, said police.
"They're frustrated with the conditions," said Youngstown Councilwoman Janet Tarpley. "They're frustrated with doing things as usual, so a lot of them are getting involved."
She was referring to frustration with crime, and specifically, the recent murder of 80-year-old Angeline Fimognari's. That murder, said Tarpley, only brings the problem into a bigger spotlight.
Maggie Lorenzi, a community activist who used to be president of a block watch that encompassed the neighborhood around St. Dominic's Church, thinks the only way things will get better is for people to get involved.
"People have to take back their own neighborhoods," said Lorenzi. "They have to take back their own neighborhoods, and you can save the ones you can save, and you can deal with ones that you can. But it shouldn't take this. We should have this concern everyday."
Seventh Ward Councilman John Swierz agrees. He has twelve block watches established in the his ward, which is where Angeline Fimognari lived.
"It's an everyday way of life for us," said Swierz. "We need to change the way our mindset is. We need to think that we always have to be vigilant of what's going on around us, and we need to become collaborative with the people around us. We need to know our neighbors. We need to know when Mrs. Smith isn't home, but the lights are on in her house to call the police department."
Knowing your neighbors, and what is going on around you is essential, Tarpley said.
"When something happens to other people we don't know, even when they live next door to us, we usually will stay to ourselves," said Tarpley. "What we're trying to do is build a real neighborhood amongst the people, and get involved in each others lives."
