BLUFFTON, SC (WTOC) -
Despite the arrests of three men last week, a rash of car break-ins in Bluffton continues. Several communities have already been hit, which has residents on edge and worried.
"Our neighborhood had been plagued with car break-ins. [They were] just stealing whatever they could - radar detectors, change, cell phones - anything they could get their hands on," said Todd Rackliffe, a Bluffton resident and business owner.
The vehicle break-ins in Bluffton don't seem to be over. Despite surveillance and security, two Bluffton neighborhoods were targeted late Tuesday night, resulting in up to 40 car break-ins. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said that those cars were unlocked.
Authorities urge residents remove valuables from their cars and to keep it locked while parked. Thieves hit recently hit an estimated 100 cars.
Natasha Rollins, of Bluffton, said that her friend leaves her car unlocked and that stuff was stolen out her and her mother's car.
"It's sort of unfortunate. When I grew up here, we hardly ever locked your house, or your car doors, but now, you really have to," said Josh Cooke, a Bluffton resident and business owner.
Residents said Bluffton has gone from a sleepy small town of just more than 1,200 in 2000 to a vibrant community of more than 12,000 today.
"We never locked the house. We always left it open. We're probably going to lock up a little bit more and be more thoughtful about it," said Shanna Mauldin, a Bluffton resident and business owner.
Residents said that as the population grew, so did the crime.
Rackliffe's home was broken in to, so he and his neighbors took action. They created an email group for sending alerts. One of his neighbors put up a surveillance camera, which captured video of a home break in.
Residents said Bluffton is still a great place to live. They just have to be careful.
"It's a nice place, the scenery is beautiful and there are nice people here. You just have to keep your doors locked," Rollins warned.
Copyright 2012 WTOC. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WTOC, a Raycom Media Station.
