Calais Resident Launches Neighborhood Watch Program to Enhance Safety
All Welcome to Learn More this Friday
Jayna Smith
Leonard Rafferty, a dedicated Calais resident and pastor of Keys to Life Church on North Street, has taken proactive steps to address growing concerns about safety and community well-being.
Early last winter, Rafferty initiated a neighborhood watch program aimed at fostering a secure environment for residents and combating negative influences. Now, Rafferty is calling on community members to join together this Friday, April 26, at Keys to Life Tabernacle, 325 North Street, to become active in this program.
Having relocated to Calais with his family in June 2019, Rafferty is deeply invested in creating a safe and inviting atmosphere for all. Over the past five years, he has actively engaged with the community, listening to the concerns of fellow residents, particularly among the elderly. Issues such as suspected drug activity, vagrant-related littering along the waterfront, and reckless driving causing road damage have fueled a sense of unease among locals.
“As a homeowner who pays taxes to support this city, I want our city to be known as one that is safe, clean, and attractive to younger families and new businesses,” Rafferty told this publication last November.
Citing research on organized neighborhood watch programs, Rafferty believes that such initiatives not only reduce crime but also strengthen community bonds, ultimately elevating the overall quality of the city. His vision is one where neighbors unite to support each other and collaborate with the understaffed police department to make Calais a sought-after destination in Maine.
The success of Rafferty's proposal hinges on public support, and he remains optimistic that with a robust demonstration of interest, the program can make significant strides in safeguarding the well-being of Calais residents.
For further details on Rafferty’s initiative or to get involved, interested parties can contact him at 207-619-1209 or via email at [email protected]. One can also join the Facebook group, “Calais Neighborhood Watch.”
Community members are welcome to join this Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m., at Keys to Life Tabernacle, 325 North Street, to learn more about the neighborhood watch program.
