A popular community policing program axed because of budget woes is back.

About 100 people attended a meeting at Napa City Hall last week to applaud the return of the Neighborhood Watch program, which has been defunct for some time, and to find out more about how it works. Police are preparing this week to set up Neighborhood Watch in different parts of town.

At the meeting, Napa Police Sgt. Terry Gonsalves outlined the program, the benefits and duties of volunteers to the packed room.

"It's all about neighbors watching out for neighbors. If you see something suspicious -- a car that doesn't belong, activity in a house when the owners are gone, a van backs up in a driveway and someone you don't know starts removing items from the house -- that's when you call us," Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves fielded questions from the audience.

"I believe there is a drug house in my neighborhood. What signs should I be looking for?" asked Rachael Frank-Clark, a recent Napa City Council candidate who works with at-risk youth.

"If we are aware of the problem, we can address those very issues at Neighborhood Watch meetings," Gonsalves answered. "I will personally come to your house and discuss your specific problems."

Gonsalves said Neighborhood Watch meetings are a forum to discuss any problems unique to a certain neighborhood, "such if a sex offender moves in," he said.

One member of the audience said he believes there are gang members living in his neighborhood. "If I call in suspected gang activity, I am somewhat afraid of retaliation," the man said.

Gonsalves assured everyone all callers to the Neighborhood Watch hotline would remain anonymous.

A woman who lives in a southeast Napa apartment complex said there "is a lot of crime where I live. Can't the manager or owner do something about it?"

Gonsalves said police put pressure on apartment owners and managers where there is a good deal of criminal activity.

"If we have to repeatedly respond to calls for service at any one apartment complex, the owner will be charged," he said.

Each Neighborhood Watch group is overseen by a block captain. Gonsalves recommends the block captains meet with their Neighborhood Watch group two to three times a year.

"But, if problems arise, we will meet as many times as it takes to solve the problem," Gonsalves said. "At the meetings we will discuss how to observe, how to watch out for one another. You will be prepared to observe goings on around your neighborhood and trust your judgment when making a decision whether or not to call the police."

Gonsalves also reminded the public when they call 911 from a cell phone it goes directly to the California Highway Patrol dispatch. "If you need to report an emergency in Napa, call 253-0911," he said.

The city will provide Neighborhood Watch signs and repair those that are broken at no cost.

Napan Larry Cline is glad the program is back. "It's a great way to meet your neighbors. It makes me feel safer to know that if one of my neighbors sees something that just didn't add up, he would report it to the police."

David Rojas has lived in Napa for nine years. "The Neighborhood Watch is an excellent and valuable program. I was shocked when it went away," he said. "I am very glad it's back."

Rick Frazier was a block captain. "I will probably volunteer again. I am very happy the city is going to restart the program."

Information about Neighborhood Watch is available by calling Gonsalves at 258-7886 or e-mailing him at tgonsalves@cityofnapa.org. Additional information about the program is available on the Internet by clicking the "police reports" icon at cityofnapa.org.