BOUNTIFUL, Utah -- From alarm systems, to security cameras, to guns, a Bountiful neighborhood is doing all they can to protect themselves from an alleged crime spree that almost turned deadly over the weekend.
Those residents on high alert live within Bridlewood and Monarch Drives. They say in the past six months there have been several homes and cars broken into in their neighborhood.
However, on Saturday it went to a whole new level. A man walked into a garage and threatened a father and son at gunpoint. Fortunately the father and son fought back, and the rest of the neighborhood is following their lead.
Gene Bangerter has already invested $1,000 in a home security system but he says that's not enough.
"We need camera protection so we can video any of these characters that come into the neighborhood so we can stop it," Bangerter said.
Across the street, Larry Weist plans to shed some light on the problem.
"I'm thinking about putting up a couple of 20-foot galvanized poles with large halogen flood lights on them," Weist said.
Then there is the ultimate line of defense, a gun.
"I'd cap somebody," Weist said. "You can't assume that they are not going to kill you."
Many of these residents have or are in the process of purchasing guns.
"We don't want to take the law into our own hands but we want to protect our neighbors and our family," Bangerter said.
That's exactly what Cory Christensen did when he confronted the armed robber fleeing his neighbor's Monarch Drive home.
"When it hits this close to home it really opens up a lot of eyes," Christensen said.
No shots were fired during this incident. However, the neighborhood knows that may not be the case next time.
"Some neighbors have brought their spouses out, their wives out to go shoot today, go to the range get familiar with their weapons," Christensen said.
These residents say their comfort and privacy have been violated forever.
"Lights are turned on permanently and guns are loaded," said Ryan Beard.
Beard said it's good to know the entire community is paying attention and taking action. It's only a matter of time until criminals take notice.
"I would be fearful to surprise some of the people on this street just because I know their background, I know what they have, and I know what's ready," Beard said.
Police said there were some break-ins in the neighborhood earlier in the year but arrests have been made and they are confident residents will see a decrease in crime.
Police are also still looking for that armed robbery suspect who held up that father and son at gunpoint. He is listed as a man with dark complexion, between 5'10 and 6'0 tall, and weighing between 220 and 240 bounds. If you have any information call Bountiful police at 801-298-6000.
