Kathleen Ebey has a habit of getting involved.

When she first moved to Newtown Estates in the summer of 1985, Ebey applied for a permit from the community association to install a window air-conditioning unit. The next thing she knew, she was on the association’s architectural committee.

And then the program committee, membership committee and board of directors.

Now she is at the helm of Newtown’s independent neighborhood watch program, which covers more than 2,500 homes in more than 10 subdivisions. She inherited the role after the outgoing leader plopped a binder of information in front of her and said, “It’s yours.”

“I usually tend to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she said jokingly. “I can’t say no.”

Tom Akamu, a Newtown resident for 40 years, nominated Ebey for Heroes Next Door, saying that thanks to her efforts, crime in the neighborhood has declined.

“Things are really good now,” he said, “a lot better. We really appreciate what she’s doing. She’s worked so hard. The things she’s been doing have been wonderful. It’s not just security, but bringing the community together.”

Ebey, 70 and a retired military manpower analyst, has headed up the neighborhood watch program for almost seven years.

She keeps tabs on crime in the area, recruits block captains, keeps residents informed of happenings by email and an app, and organizes meetings with a representative from the Honolulu Police Department every two months. She also hands out neighborhood watch brochures and stickers, and offers advice on mailbox vandalism.

So far this year the neighborhood has recorded about 56 crimes, including car break-ins and thefts, which is down from previous years. Ebey is looking forward to getting further information from the additional categories added to the Police Department’s crime mapping website in November.

Ebey also organized an upcoming community safety program for March, with representatives from the Police and Fire departments, and the Attorney General’s Office to offer information on home security, fire safety, identity theft and scams.

In addition, three to four times a year, she organizes a sign-waving event urging drivers to slow down at the crosswalk in front of the Newtown Estates Recreation Center. Several years ago an elderly woman was hit and killed by a car at the crosswalk. So it’s just a reminder to drivers, Ebey said.

“That’s the whole thing,” she said. “Neighbors watching out for neighbors.”

When not heading up the neighborhood crime watch, Ebey also volunteers once a week at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center’s donation desk. She enjoys gardening, particularly the art of bonsai. While working in her garden, she waves at pretty much everyone passing by.

“For me it’s just knowing nobody in our neighborhood has to live in fear,” she said. “At least in Newtown we can try to make it a safe place for old people, for kids, for pets, for whatever.”

Ebey grew up in a small town in South Dakota where everyone knew one another and where the neighborhood kids played together. It was safe while she was growing up, she said, and remains safe today.

She’s thankful for the help from the community and is always looking for more block captains.

“I can’t do it alone,” she said. “It just doesn’t happen without the community’s support and participation, especially the block captains.”