Officials in Hinton have created a citizens' patrol complete with a specially retrofitted Jeep to help catch a serial arsonist.

After a string of unsolved arsons, the town is asking residents to sign up for classes later this month for training with police.

Hinton is spending $2,000 to outfit a Jeep with amber lights and a police radio. Residents will prowl the streets in the vehicle and report suspicious activity to the police department.

Mayor Cleo Mathews says even if the citizens' patrol doesn't catch a suspect, it may deter the arsonist from striking again.

Assistant State Fire Marshal Scott Rodes says there have been at least eight arsons in Hinton since December, with the latest on May 25.