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Some members of Neighborhood Watch groups in Gaithersburg say the safety-oriented groups are helpful not only for staying up-to-date on crime statistics, but also for getting to know their neighbors.

Keeping connected is paramount for groups such as East Deer Park, which recently started using an online management system to keep tabs on trends. The neighborhood watch group started in 2007 and with more than 200 members is one of the city's strongest programs. Coordinators for Gaithersburg's nine thriving groups and nearly 20 more in the making will convene at 7 p.m. today at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park to share ideas and learnings.

"The biggest thing overall is we've just established a bigger sense of community, through face to face interactions, plus the online component," said the Gail Norris, President of East Deer Park Neighborhood Watch. "… Now we're putting names and faces together, people know each other better."

That recognition helps neighbors to keep an eye on safety and form friendships, she said, recalling a recent party that brought more than 150 children.

The group is using a new tool called BigTent to organize. The free, password-controlled Web site allows the community, which has no homeowners' association, to stay in touch on a shoestring budget.

On BigTent, leaders and members post messages, manage a community calendar, send e-mail reminders, and post flyers for block captains. Posted too is non-emergency contact information for residents, police and other officials. On the site, neighborhood leaders nationwide share best practices for safety and deterring crime.

Neighborhood calls to the police department from East Deer Park have increased since the group started, said Sgt. Rudy Wagner, community outreach coordinator. But that doesn't necessarily mean an increase in crime.

"I hope that I get more calls for police," said Wagner. "I don't want an increase in criminal activity, but I want more calls from the neighborhood to report activity that they think is suspicious."