A new community watch organization in Jim Thorpe is attracting members from among the local residents according to a report delivered to the borough council by Mayor Michael Sofranko during the council's normal monthly meeting on Thursday evening.

What began as a community meeting attracting about a dozen residents has grown into an organization of over 70 people, Sofranko said."The people who initially volunteered started out as a community watch, but it has now branched out into many other areas," Sofranko said. "We've had tips called in to the Police Chief as recently as this afternoon about activity that is happening. So the community is really coming together. Even residents who haven't signed up yet are calling in with tips."The next meeting of the community watch will be next Thursday, May 20, at the borough hall. If the crowd exceeds the space available, the meeting will be moved to Memorial Hall or to an outdoor pavilion. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm. Interested residents should call the borough's municipal building for more information.