You have a community, you have neighbors, you have citizens and you all complain, but do nothing except point your fingers. There are many free avenues to help you establish a REAL Community Watch without enlisting criminals! Don't put Barney Fife in charge of this for Christ's sake, get serious! Community Watches are established AND effective in many neighborhoods that would make yours look like Beverly Hills. Get a leader, set up patrols, perform background checks if you don't know who you are dealing with. Meet with and KNOW who your neighbors are.
A bunch of bumbling idiots chatting over local break-ins while sipping coffee and donuts isn't going to get it. It takes work people...it also takes commitment and a little common sense. It also happens to be the only defense you have to regain the control of your neighborhood. Everyone needs to be involved...except the criminals. Now, go make it happen together or just give it up and accept your plight. Nobody is going to do it for you!