JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents in San Marco are on alert after a rash of burglaries in the area.
A number of residents contacted Channel 4 to say recent crimes have made them concerned about safety in the neighborhood.
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According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office crime mapping tool, more than 100 burglaries occurred within a one mile radius in the area in 2012.
Resident Jane Moore said the number of burglaries is alarming. Moore said she knows a police officer who looks for thieves in the neighborhood.
"The gentleman who's a friend of mine, he's a police officer who lives here," said Moore. "So I know he's always looking for people who don't belong. He's always watching out."
With the advice of Channel 4's Crime Analyst Ken Jefferson, a walk through the neighborhood revealed incentives for crooks. For example, a flat screen television box was out in the trash for curbside pickup. Jefferson said this is a bad idea.
"Advertising to the thieves that I just bought a flat screen TV... When I'm not home, come and get it," said Jefferson. "In the San Marco neighborhood, there are a lot of beautiful homes there, people like to show off their stuff. There is nothing wrong with that, but you've got to know when to close your drapes," said Jefferson.