JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Residents in the Ortega area have sounded a neighborhood crime alert after finding that criminals have kicked in the doors of some homes and walked away with thousands of dollars in stolen goods.

The crime alert has prompted an increase in warnings signs posted in neighbors' yards. Ortega Security, which provides security for nearly 40 percent of the area, said it placed more than 100 signs throughout Ortega.

While the company said the signs are a wake-up call, others called them eyesores.

The warning signs have grabbed attention in Ortega, especially from victims affected by the break-ins.

"It's just the invasion of your privacy. You feel like you've been defiled," said a victim who was recently robbed of $35,000 worth of jewelry.

Ortega Security said its clients prompted the posting of the signs after criminals hit the area hard.

"They're stealing what they've always stolen -- jewelry. They just kick in the door and go in, and they go right to the bedroom and closet," said David Teichman, of Ortega Security. "If you don't have the information of what's going on in your neighborhood, you're not protecting yourself. You're vulnerable," Teichman said.

"I think if the crooks see all (of the signs), they'll go someplace else I hope," said resident Tom McKeithen.

However, not everyone in the area agrees with the message. People upset with the signs said it's a scare tactic being used to drum up business.

"I think it's a nuisance and an eyesore in such a beautiful neighborhood," said a resident who asked not to be identified. "I think they're trying to scare to get us to call them because they patrol the area."

A victim of the criminals said she has mixed feelings about the signs. She said she hates to see the signs on her street but she also wants other families to be aware.

"The worse the economy is the worse it will get so we need to take action and be really aggressive and proactive because if we're not, we'll all be robbed," said the victim.

Ortega Security said it plans to remove the signs soon.