DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has stepped up patrols after noticing a spike in certain crimes recently.
"Usually when you see spikes in crimes, they'll continue unless you do something to address it," said Chief Deputy Stan Copeland. "It just tends to get worse."
Copeland said larcenies, vehicle break-ins and thefts at homes have jumped in the past two months. He said most are crimes of opportunity.
"A criminal will ride by and look say 'Oh, there's a chainsaw,'" said Copeland. "I can be in your driveway and in the trunk of my car, in my truck and gone in a matter of seconds."
A number of business owners told CBS Atlanta News they are concerned about crime and have taken their own steps to keep themselves and their customers safe.
"We do have lights around at night," said James Tompkins, the owner of a auto repair shop in Lithia Springs. "We do have cameras, but I bring my cars inside because of catalytic converter stealing and car stealing."
The owner of Langley Tax Service & Accounting next door to the auto repair shop said he is glad to hear that deputies have stepped up patrols.
"I feel that police should do that," said Greg Langley. "That should be something that's done automatically anyway. You shouldn't wait until crime increases."
The sheriff's office said while they have increased patrols, people also need to use common sense and hide their valuables like cell phones and GPS units.
"Should I see more patrols?" asked Tompkins. "I'd like to see a lot more because crime does and is happening in other areas of the county."
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