Pa. measure would bring more oversight of Phila. neighborhood watch groups

State Rep. Louise Bishop says that neighborhood watch groups throughout Pennsylvania should have uniforms and uniform training.

The Philadelphia Democrat is proposing that state police oversee neighborhood volunteers, including those in the 750 groups active in Philadelphia.

“They’re there for the comfort of the community. They feel good that Town Watch is out there, they’re watching over them. We have somebody we can go report that to, if [something] doesn’t seem right,” Bishop said. “That’s not happening.”

The city of Philadelphia now trains and outfits its patrols. A city representative said Tuesday officials are waiting to learn the details of Bishop’s proposal.

The plan would establish an unspecified fund for training neighborhood watch groups and require fees for state certification.