CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- Less than 24 hours after Jacksonville's mayor signed the city's nearly $1 billion budget, Clay County's sheriff voiced some concerns about cuts in his budget and crime in the community.

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said he is concerned his county will suffer as a result of the additional officers that will be on the streets of neighboring Duval County.

Last year, Clay County's crime dropped and Beseler said he is determined to keep it that way, but he said it won't an easy job. With tough economic times and a tight budget, the sheriff warns that people will see a reduction in service and that could be seen as an open invitation for criminals.

"Crime is like -- you can't eliminate it. You can only move it around. It's sort of like a balloon. If you squeeze it, it's going to pop out somewhere else," Beseler said.

The sheriff's office said it is most concerned about the county's northern portion that borders Duval County because while Jacksonville has received funding to increase the number of officers on its streets, Clay County was forced cut its budget and no new positions will be added.

Beseler said he was concerned criminals would soon target his territory.

"If you look at our jail population and look at the total number of criminal arrests that we make, I think we arrested about 7,000 or 8,000 people last year, about 25 percent of them list Jacksonville as their address. That's a pretty significant number," Beseler said.

He said the numbers are expected to escalate. To combat the problem, Clay County is zeroing in on the problem areas along Argyle and Wells roads.

Between 15 and 30 extra deputies along with K-9 units are expected to aggressively patrol the areas in search of drugs, guns or any other signs of trouble.

"I think some of the criminals have actually coined the phrase, 'They don't play in Clay.' That's the message that we want to keep out there," Beseler said.

The sheriff said his deputies are working closely with officers in Duval County, sharing information and in some cases resources. He said the partnership, a program called Cops Without Borders that started in 2006, is making a difference and he believes it will continue to do so.