MOUND CITY - After word from Linn County Sheriff Barry Walker that the Sheriff's Office would no longer be spearheading the Neighborhood Watch picnics, Linn County Crime Stoppers is "picking up the ball," said former Linn County Deputy and Community Policing Officer Harvey Taylor to the commissioners Monday.

Taylor explained that he had received several calls from Neighborhood Watch groups asking about scheduling for the yearly event. He said he called Sheriff Walker and said he would turn over any contact names that he had so Walker could take over the event.

Following news that the Sheriff's Office would no longer be involved in coordinating the event, Taylor was contacted by Linn Valley Police Chief John Burnett for assistance in

getting prizes from KCP&L, as Linn Valley scheduled their own event. Taylor called KCP&L, explained he was no longer with the Sheriff's Office but was trying to assist the Neighborhood Watch groups who wanted to put on a picnic. KCP&L said they would be glad to assist and volunteered to donate several prizes to county groups who put on picnics.

Taylor said after Linn Valley called for assistance, Pleasanton also called as they were scheduling an event.

Taylor explained to the commissioners that he received several calls from other county groups and felt it was important to keep the Neighborhood Watch picnics a part of the community.

"I'm asking if the commissioners will take care of the Neighborhood Watch groups," said Taylor who explained that 12 groups have called for assistance with their picnics.

County Clerk David Lamb informed the commissioners that for the past four years they had been donating $2,000 to the event. Commissioner Herb Pemberton then made a motion to approve funding for the Watch groups with Vicki Leonard seconding. The motion was approved 3-0.

Sheriff Walker later addressed the commissioners concerning the Night Out event and said, "I decided not to have formal Night Outs - I feel it's been horribly ineffective. I've attended most meetings; free food and prizes get people there, but it didn't benefit the citizens of the community."

Walker continued that he wants to address community policing and said, "I will meet any group any time with no free food or prizes."

He then mentioned that prisoner nights had increased from an average of 370 the last quarter to an August number of 825.

"I believe that is the Night Out Against Crime," said Walker.