Allegany County comprises 426 square miles and is home to 71,000 residents in western Maryland. There are seven active crime watches within the county, operating under the general philosophy of "Neighbors Taking Care of Neighbors." The Allegany County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with the Allegany County Area Agency on Aging and local law enforcement agencies, has formed an area triad called the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) council. The council's goal is to identify issues, mobilize resources, and address the safety/quality of life concerns of mature adults in the county. The county has also formed a Youth and Law Enforcement Council to give high school students a voice in identifying reasons for juvenile crime and in suggesting solutions. Allegany County also joined the Tip-Us-Off Organization, which provides an 800 number for citizens to report information that they feel should be investigated by law enforcement.