Summit Hill police might soon have a few extra sets of eyes watching out for crime in the community.

On Wednesday, about 18 people attended a meeting to organize a Citizen Crime Watch program.In charge of the meeting were Chief of Police Joseph Fittos, Mayor Paul McArdle, borough council member David Wargo and resident Andrea "Andy" Davis.Most of the people in the audience filled out applications to join the crime watch.Another meeting was set up for interested residents. It will be held at 7

p.m.March 9, tentatively in the Hilltop Community Center.Davis expressed optimism that the crime watch not only is successful in Summit Hill, but that they are formed in other Panther Valley communities.One resident asked Chief Fittos what the top crime issues are in Summit Hill."Most of the crime is driven by drugs," he said. Fittos said the drugs are responsible for thefts, assaults, robberies and other crimes."Drugs are an epidemic anymore," he said. "Summit Hill is still a good community. It's not as bad as some other communities. But we still have a problem with drugs."He said that "impaired driving" used to refer to driving while under the influence of alcohol. Today a lot of impaired drivers are under the influence of drugs, including prescription medications.A woman told Fittos she found heroin needles on her property. Fittos responded, "People find them all over town. Drugs are a real problem."Council member Karen Ruzicka said people who report crimes often want to remain anonymous. Fittos said the police will investigate anonymous calls, but it's important that as much information as possible be reported.He said anyone wanting to report suspicious activity should either dial 911, or if it isn't urgent, call the nonemergency number at the Carbon County Telecommunications Center: 800-452-1813.Fittos said the Carbon County District Attorney's office also has a number which can be called anonymously to provide information on suspected criminal activity.McArdle discussed some of the rules which govern Citizen Crime Watch members.He said crime watch members should not lay a hand on anyone, should not carry any weapon, should not shine a light on anyone or in any building or vehicle, and should not violate traffic regulations.He said they should record accurate descriptions, especially vehicle license numbers; should report disorderly groups; watch for underage drinking; and watch for vehicles cruising in a specific neighborhood.Davis advocated that businesses and residents obtain and use security cameras to deter crimes.She said that Facebook will be used to convey information about the Citizen Crime Watch group.Davis operates a Facebook page called "Save the Bubble." She said the site contains information on all of the Panther Valley. It is a closed location, but she said anyone interested in signing up can still do so.Although "Save the Bubble" isn't part of Crime Watch, she said it will be a means for members to communicate."This was a good meeting for a start," Fittos said, adding that at the next meeting he will begin reviewing patrol procedures for crime watch members.This is the third time a crime watch was formed in Summit Hill. Fittos said it isn't uncommon to have good attendance at meetings initially, but then interest eventually wanes.Davis said if the crime watch remains intact, signs will be placed at various locations in the borough stating "Entering a Crime Watch Area" and possibly signs which state "electronic surveillance."