NATCHEZ — A rash of at least 12 burglaries in the last three months downtown has residents up in arms and police on the hunt for the criminals.

Natchez Police Chief Danny White said six burglaries have been reported on North Pearl Street since January, four on North Union Street and two on Madison Street.

Resident Bob Adams said he had to relocate a tenant from a house he owns in the 700 block of North Pearl Street after two break-ins.

“She was afraid to stay there by herself,” Adams said.

The house was broken into the first time more than a month ago, and two weeks later was broken into again, Adams said. The thieves, he said, stole a flatscreen TV in the first burglary and the replacement TV the second time.

Adams said he installed motion sensor lights and made sure all the windows in the house were covered after first burglary

Shortly after the second burglary, thieves attempted to break into an adjacent house that Adams owns, and that tenant plans to move out soon.

“It’s costing a lot of money, (the property) has been damaged, and I’m losing renters for the first time in 10 years,” Adams said.

Pearl Street resident Johnny Junkin said burglars took a flatscreen TV, part of a coin collection and other items from his house about a month and a half ago. Junkin said he has added lights to his property and also changed the locks.

“You always take precautions the best you can and keep your eyes open,” he said.

Adams said he believes police should install game cameras in the neighborhood to help catch the criminals.

Chief White said an officer will be picking up two game cameras in Jackson that will be installed in the area of the burglaries.

White said NPD has beefed up its presence in the neighborhood and has officers on foot and in cars patrolling the area. Officers are also knocking on doors and letting residents know they are in the neighborhood and searching for the burglars, White said.

The burglars are striking at night and while residents are gone to work during the day, White said. The burglars, he said, have been breaking windows or busting down doors to enter the houses.

Mayor Butch Brown said residents have voiced concerns to him about the recent burglaries.

“We will get this guy or guys,” Brown said. “They are getting pretty brazen now … we will get them, and we will prosecute them.”

White said the NPD will soon be meeting with residents in the Pearl Street area to set up a Neighborhood Watch program.

Residents should report any suspicious activity or persons in their neighborhood to police, White said.

Anyone with any information about the burglaries should call NPD at 601-445-5565 or Crime Stoppers at 601-442-5000.

Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $1,000 for a tip leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.