Stopping Crimes In Pott. County, One Sign At A Time

A string of burglaries is putting a community on edge.

Residents in one Pottawatomie County neighborhood said they had enough. They are banding together to put an end to the crimes.

The county is warning residents that they are being watched. Residents are making their own signs. Those signs are sending a simple message of stealing the copper and getting the lead. People in the neighborhood said the signs are humorous, but the message is direct.

"We all watch out for each other," said Martha Flowers, Rustic Oaks Estates resident. "It helps."

Flowers has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, but only recently has she needed the protection of her pitbull.

In the past several months, numerous crimes have happened in the neighborhood from breakins to copper theft. One person even had a tractor taken directly from a shed said one neighbor.

"It's kind of hard to believe it's happened out here in this area," homeowner Ray Corley said.

Residents, one sign at a time, are saying no more. They have formed a neighborhood watch. So far, they've had four meetings.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said burglaries are a top priority, but also said his agency doesn't have the ability to prevent the crimes alone. It needs the public's help.

"The more eyes we have out there, helps us," Booth said.

For now, Martha and her neighbors said they will continue to help, and there is nothing wrong with being a nosey neighbor.

Residents said ever since the signs went up, crimes have stopped. They also said it had brought those in the neighborhood closer together.