In Gastonia Community Watch members work to correct neighborhood decay issues and social problems to improve quality of life. Police address all crime issues. Most community watches meet once a month. Community concerns addressed by community watches include the need for street repairs, junk removal, light repairs or high residential turnover.
Some groups offer activities for neighborhood youth and senior citizens.
Presently there are 70 community watch groups in Gastonia, the most in the city s history. The entire City of Gastonia has been recognized with the Governor s Crime Prevention Community Award, largely due to community watch activities.