VERO BEACH — In response to a string of six burglaries on the beachside since Memorial Day, the Central Beach Neighborhood Watch has grown to more than 100 members concerned about protecting their homes and property. The group will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, 3755 Hwy. A-1-A, Vero Beach.The topic presented by Officer John Morrison of the Vero Beach Police Department will be gun safety and homeowners’ gun rights and responsibilities. This topic was put on the agenda due to an increased number of questions from local residents who have recently purchased firearms.Police have no suspects in the crimes, so neighbors have been enlisted to keep investigators posted about suspicious activity, including information about people seen lurking around homes in the Central Beach area and knocking on doors to solicit for a cleaning service. An estimated $53,000 in jewelry has been stolen from beachside homes in 2009.The Central Beach Neighborhood Watch covers the area from 17th Street north to the Indian River Shores Town limit. For more information about the Central Beach Neighborhood Watch or to report tips relating to these burglaries, call Officer John Morrison at the Vero Beach Police Department at (772) 978-4649.
