Do We Need a Neighborhood Watch?

A local resident is suggesting starting a neighborhood watch program, and we want to know what you think.

Over on local news-gathering site EveryBlock, a neighbor on our eastern shores posted a question about starting a crime watch program for the area between Van Ness and Market:

"I am at 77 Van Ness and am looking for folks on the block to participate in a neighborhood watch program. I am looking for people in the immediate are between Van Ness/Market/Franklin/ and Fell streets. This is just a starting point and not in stone. Anyone interested please get back to me."

With various robberies, shootings, and acts of vandalism in Hayes Valley in the past few months, we're wondering if this would be a good idea for other parts of the neighborhood as well. Do you live on a block that could use a watch program? Or should patrolling the area be left to the pros? Let us know what you think.