Warren plans watch program for new mall

By Kim Walter -- kwalter@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- The Warren County Sheriff's Office will implement a business watch program in and around the Riverton Commons shopping center.

The program is similar to a neighborhood watch program, Deputy Darren Hunt said at a Friday news conference. If employees of a business in the program see suspicious activity, they will report it to the Sheriff's Office and to the surrounding business community.

Hunt said that the program currently includes about 50 businesses. The area being covered by the watch stretches from the Holiday Inn on U.S. 340-522, past Interstate 66, and just slightly into town, Hunt said.

"In the future, we'd like [the program] to encompass the whole county," he added.
Sheriff Daniel McEathron explained that the north end of the county has the highest concentration of businesses, which is why they're focusing on the area first.

A sign advertising the program was also revealed on Friday. It states, "We report all suspicious activities to our fellow merchants and the Warren County Sheriff's Office." The sign is located near the entrance of Riverton Commons, and there are plans to put another sign at the Crooked Run Shopping Center across the street.

Along with the signs, the program will produce monthly newsletters, updating the businesses and Hunt plans to hold quarterly meetings.

"We can't be everywhere all the time," Hunt said. Officials will continue to patrol in the area, however.

"The best crime prevention is being seen," said Hunt.

Steve Ricks, the owner of McAlister's Deli in Riverton Commons, is happy to see the program start.

"It's certainly not a crime-free area," Ricks said, describing recent incidents like bank robberies and use of counterfeit money. He said that even though a few businesses were already in touch, the program will allow communication to be more organized and formal.

"It's always better to be safe," Ricks said.