Nearly 20 new neighborhood watch signs have been placed throughout Clanton’s West End community and other areas, thanks in part to the West End Neighborhood Watch group.

The Clanton Police Department applied for and received a $250 Homeland Security grant for the signs, which are reflective and easily washed.

“This is how we wanted to use the money, to upgrade our signs,” said Neighborhood Watch secretary Jessie Binion.

The group has been in existence since 1991 and meets monthly at the home of its founder, Gussie Saxon. There has been talk of a similar group forming in the Northfield housing area located adjacent to the Winn Dixie shopping center.

Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell said signs were also placed in the Northfield neighborhood.

“We’re doing this in support of the community,” he said. “We can only do so much. We’ve got to get the community involved.”

Stilwell added that the grant will be applied for annually in hope of receiving an increased amount of funding each year.

Also, a neighborhood watch kickoff event is planned for the month of June. The date, time and location will be announced later.

Members of the West End Neighborhood Watch wished to thank Stilwell, Dewayne Driver, Fire Chief David Driver and Homeland Security Director Bill Collum for their assistance in procuring the grant money.