News 12 at 11 o'clock, November 4, 2009

WAYNESBORO, Ga.---Some people in Burke County are frustrated, and they're threatening to use any means necessary to protect themselves from burglars.

The sheriff and members of the SCLC say there's a better way to help bring down crime--like being proactive, looking out for your neighbors and just being alert. By watching out and reporting suspicious activity, local leaders are hoping to bring down the burglaries and robberies. One longtime resident also suggested parents discipline their children more.

"My house has been broken into before," said Tameka Gordon.

Gordon knows first hand what it feels like to be a victim of a crime.

"I feel violated," she said. "They took some of my son's toys, PlayStation video games and money."

Crime has gotten so bad in Burke County, the SCLC organized a forum to do something about it. So far this year, there have been more than 380 burglaries and countless other crimes to include gang and drug activity. Sheriff Greg Coursey along with other law enforcement agents including Juvenile Judge Willie Saunders were on hand to address the problem.

"We came here to take care of our community, and if we're going to take care of it, we have to do something about it," said longtime resident David DeLoach.

Deloach says he's tired of all of the talk. He wants people in Burke County to start being proactive and to help bring down the crime rate. He believes one way would be the addition of an auxiliary police force to help out.

"When you create a volunteer police force, you present opportunities for everybody to pitch in," DeLoach said.

Part of the problem, DeLoach says, begins at home. A large percentage of the crimes committed in Burke County involve minors. He says now is the time for parents to step in.

"We need to stop persecuting parents for whipping a tail now and again," DeLoach said. " If that's what the child needs, then do it!"

Deloach says he doesn't endorse rough punishment but believes if kids are disciplined the right way, crime and gang activity would drop.

"There's an old cliche that's worn out that's not used anymore: it takes a village to raise a child," he said.

Also introduced at Wednesday night's meeting was a rewards program, in which $10,000 in funding is allotted for "tips" or information leading to an arrest and conviction of a crime. Sheriff Coursey says the program is already working and some rewards have already been given out.