JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the past 12 days, residents in the Brierwood area, near Old Kings Road, have dealt with at least seven different violent crimes.
Neighbors say they feel like they are living in a war zone. They've heard choppers, seen high speed chases and have had two different manhunts in the area.
Recommended Videos
One resident, Juanita McLee, said enough is enough and she is moving out soon because of the recent armed robbery. Charles Owens is looking to leave the neighborhood, too.
Owens said, "When bullets are flying that close to home, it's time to find another place to call home."
Douglas Snyder is ready to see a change because lately, he said, he's seen a lot of crime tape. He's lived in his Brierwood home for more than 10 years and said crime has never been this bad.
Channel 4 sat down with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to find out what's going on. Assistant Chief Bobby Deal said the recent spree is coincidental.
Deal said overall crime is down in the area.
Here is the breakdown: Robberies, carjackings and home invasions are down, but sexual battery and aggravated battery are up significantly.
Jacksonville Sheirff Officer said it expects statistics to go up in the summer because kids are out of school. Officers said they have extra patrols on Friday and Saturday nights and work with neighborhood watch.
To start up a neighborhood watch program in your neighborhood call 630-2160.