East Laurinburg town commissioners are seeking to fight crime with a community watch program.

Commissioners plan to meet with Sheriff Shep Jones on Thursday to set up a watch program, Mayor Harry F. Pittman announced at the Tuesday night's town board meeting.

"I have a problem with gangs ... I have a problem with drug dealers and I have a problem with pill pushers and I will do everything I can to clean up (East Laurinburg)," Pittman said.

The major issue is gang activity, according to Pittman.

The mayor said he's had complaints from several residents about the gang activity and hopes a more vigilant community will help reduce crime in East Laurinburg.

In other businesss, officials said the sale of the Waverly Mills building may be eminent.

"Someone is buying Waverly Mill," Pittman said.

At the very least, it has that appearance, he said. He saw surveyors on the property earlier in the day that indicate someone is eyeing the property.

Pittman hopes whoever buys the mill will come before East Laurinburg commissioners to introduce themselves to the town.

Waverly Mills was a textile plant that closed January of 2008.

In other business, town commissioners:

• Approved a letter explaining to residents what is recyclable under state guidelines that went into affect in October. The town picks up recycling on Thursdays.

• Discussed the new four-day work week for town employees. The schedule is meant to keep employees under 20 hours a week of employment.

• Approved the purchase of software for use by Treasurer Lily Pittman in keeping the town's books.