MARTIN COUNTY, Fla-- See something say something and look out for your neighbors. It's a message the Martin County Sheriff's Office has been preaching for years, and its really paying off.
Just this week, deputies arrested a man for burglary earlier this week.
"As a matter of fact, I see him right now approaching my neighbor's house. He's kind of looking around left and right." This is part of the 911 call made for a very vigilant neighbor, a call deputies argue helped take one more criminal off the street.
This is a message Martin County Sheriff William Snyder has been preaching for years now.
"My repeat sermons about neighbors you're responsible for your neighbors has paid off. People are listening and they're calling us," said Snyder.
Sheriff Snyder says his office has been getting more tips than ever and the number of community watch groups has tripled thanks to a major push that started about three years ago.
That is when Martin County was plagued with the "pillow case burglaries." This was group of criminals from another county who would break into homes filling pillow cases with valuables.
"We engaged the public. We had town hall meetings. We did social media," said Snyder. The Sheriff’s Office is hoping to drive home the idea that the community needs to take an interest in its own safety.The message is still paying off today.
"It is wonderful," said Joy Icyda. We all keep our eyes peeled for each other."
Which is exactly why these neighbors say that suspicious man is behind bars.
"This is something we preach to each other as people move in and out," said Icyda.
