News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 29, 2010

AIKEN CTY, S.C. -- Montmorenci, Aiken County is not the Old West, although Kathie Roberts does have horses. Perhaps this community shares something else with the OK Corral.

"Even in small areas, although the crime may not be severe, we're frequently the victim of vandalism-type crimes," said Roberts.

Those crimes led Roberts to resuscitate a neighborhood watch program. A stop sign is blacked out by spray paint. And other signs have been tagged. One says goon.

Rick Preston says vandals spray painted a message on his barn and destroyed a hammock.

"Our little sanctuary for 15 years has been invaded, and we don't like it," he said. "My wife and I are going to go learn how to shoot a gun today. Pistol. She knows, but I don't. But we're going to learn how to shoot a pistol, then buy one, and I'm going to take the shotguns down from the attic, and we're going to have them around."

60 families are part of the program. They put their contact information on these forms. They've pooled money to buy six neighborhood watch signs and have funded a $1,000 dollar reward. That's more than Crimestoppers can offer.

Roberts alerts people with emails. She calls neighbors who don't have a computer.

"I would love to have a deputy everytime I needed them and for serious times we do, but I think we do a pretty good job of handling this," she adds.

"You may live in a neighborhood for 10 years and not know the person next door to you," says Aiken Co. Sheriff's Office Capt. Troy Elwell. "This is one of the opportunities where you have meetings in your neighborhood that law enforcement's involved in, so it's a friendly environment, so everybody can get together, get to know each other and feel like they're looking out for each other."

Aiken County has more than 20 neighborhood watch programs. People in Montmorenci want to inspire more.

Rick is confident they're helping and confident his vandals will get justice.

"It's been safe out here for a long time, and it's going to get safe again."

Neighbors think the vandals are white teenagers, riding around in a green SUV -- possibly a Chevy Blazer. If you see the vehicle, call the Aiken Co. Sheriff's Office.

You can also check with your local sheriff's office to start up a neighborhood watch program near you. Some will come out and train you for what to do.