For years, the large sign at the entrance to Maplewood Drive was missing letters and worn with age. One could see the dirt behind the missing letters that used to spell "Yorktown Woods," the name of the tight-knit neighborhood behind the sign.
With petty crime on the rise, meaning houses in the neighborhood are getting broken into and vandalism is evident in the area, the small community got upset. Resident Frances Denson and her neighbors didn't think those negatives reflected the neighborhood they've lived in for so many years, so they came together to do something about it.
"We all pitched in, raised money, to help rebuild this sign," Denson said. "It was a community effort and we think it'll help with crime and we think it looks great."
The new sign boasts bright red letters fashioned after the original lettering by resident Pam Knectell.
Dozens of neighbors donated, including one woman, Lydia Wolfe, who recently passed away after the sign was built.
"She really cared and came out to help and we are so thankful for that," Denson said.
Altogether, the group raised more than $1,000 for the sign. There may be some money leftover that will go to the National Night Out, a public safety-inspired event the small group celebrates each year with family activities and neighbor introductions.
Each smaller neighborhood has a captain and co-captain responsible for keeping watch over the streets. Having a set of eyes available is helpful, Denson said.
There's only one neighborhood not represented, she said, and that's where the most crime is.
"We hope to convince someone to take over as captain and to cut the crime down there," she said. "We know it will help."