Police departments do their best to keep us safe, but officers can't be everywhere all the time. That's why one South Baltimore resident is stepping up to help.
Christian Allen says it's everyone's responsibility to keep their neighborhoods safe and while community patrols aren't a new idea, he says they can make a difference.
"We all know that BPD has their hands full that's for sure and i think anything we can do around here to help were going to try to what we can," said Allen who started the South Baltimore Community Patrol.
The patrols are aimed at volunteers being vigilant and reporting unusual or suspicious behaviors between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
"The neighbors know the neighborhood better than anyone else so I think it's an opportunity for people in South Baltimore to get to know other parts of the neighborhood that they might not be familiar with," Allen said.
And by doing so try to curb some of the crime South Baltimore has seen this year like teenaged vandals, brazen thieves entering homes, and even crimes in area bars.
"Part of the idea is you'll have two people in a car and hopefully they don't know each other to begin with so you foster communication there, kind of getting people to know each other and be a second set of eyes," Allen said.
He continued, "We're not here to profile anybody or attack anyone in the neighborhood more of just looking for people checking car doors, door handles, checking doors."
Residents who call South Baltimore home are happy someone is stepping up with this crime fighting effort.
John Mickey has lived in south Baltimore for over 60 years.
"You keep an eye out and watch for things that don't look right, don't look kosher to you," he said.
"It'll help because it will keep an eye out for people who the police and the community are up to no good and just kind of keep an eye on what's going on," said Andrew Canter.
Allen says he hopes to start the patrol next month.
