The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is starting a Rural Crime Watch program.

One watch area is already set up in Faucet and more will be added as rural residents call the department to request watch area’s.

The program started as an idea from the first Rural Crime Summit held earlier this year. The program is similar to the Neighborhood Watch program in St Joseph, Deputy Sarah Hardin said.

“Even though we are spread out, people are out moving in the county during the day to day. Farmers are out in the field and are moving from field to field. They’re out paying attention to people in the area and they know when they don’t see this car on a regular bases. If they call us, that’s something we can start checking out.”

Still, rural residents are not easy to fool and already look out for each other, Sheriff Mike Strong said. “you know to be quite honest with you most of these people out in the rural areas can be a little salty…and we get quite a few calls,” Sheriff Strong said. “They do really well now we are just looking to improve to again, give them the tools to help then”

 At the request of residents, the Sheriff’s Department will help set up watch areas and provide tips and tools to deter crime.

Deputy Hardin, who is also the department’s school resource officer, will coordinate the program. For more information call 816.236.8894.