One neighborhood watch group in the Queen City has come together to complete one goal: turn their community in the right direction.

Residents of Johnson Street and the surrounding area gathered to celebrate good relations in an area that isn't necessarily known for that. They've had problems in the past, but look forward to brighter skies tomorrow.

Donald Tyler says, "I came to visit. I was supposed to be here two weeks. It's been ten years."

However, Johnson Street hasn't been the same since, which is why Tyler joined the neighborhood watch four years ago, hoping to keep the community together.

Phil Figura, the Assistant Attorney General, says, "This neighborhood has had its issues. It's not the only one in the Shenandoah Valley, but it is a neighborhood where there have been a number of problems."

Figura says at neighborhood watch meetings, they've talked about taking their communities back one block at a time. Events like this one are small pieces to a bigger puzzle to improve the Shenandoah Valley.

Tyler says, "It's only what you make of it, because like I said, a lot of people like to hang out on the main street or Stafford Street, so I lived on it."

However, the residents have pride in where they live, because if they didn't, Figura says there's no chance of turning the place around.

He says, "Bring people out. Let people understand that they're going to be supported when they want to do the right thing, but there's also law enforcement efforts underway to keep people from doing the wrong thing."

Figura says the goal is to make neighborhoods like this one good environments to raise a family.

Tyler says, "Everybody can get along, no arguing, no fighting, and have a day like this where you see a bunch of people show up. No arguing, no fighting, the kids have a good time."

The neighborhood watch group plans to work closely with the Staunton Police Department as well as SAW 2010.