Residents are reacting to between 10 and 15 break-ins and burglaries in the last six months.

"These people seem to have no fear. They just break in whether you're home or not home," said Mike Higgins, owner of the Hig-Mart.

He says that in Key, that kind of activity has a lot of folks shaken up.

"A woman that lives all by herself, in her own trailer was broken into luckily when she wasn't home, and they trashed the trailer from one end to the other,” said Higgins.

Because of this, Higgins is taking a stand now before the burglars get to him. He spent $2,000 on a security system.

That is an upgrade to the $3,000 system he already has.

Higgins has installed multiple cameras and sirens on both sides of the building to scare off any criminals.

"I installed state of the art system that monitors my store 24/7, I have cameras everywhere, and if I am robbed I'll have it on film and hopefully we'll catch them," said Higgins.

Higgins said in speaking with his customers and a police officer, the belief is that all of these break-ins are related.

He also believes a rural location combined with recent cuts to the sheriff's department is why this is going on.

So residents of Key are taking matters into their own hands.

"I know of at least 10 or 15 customers who have bought handguns, and somebody is going to end up getting killed if that is what it takes,” said Higgins.

The burglars are coming during broad daylight and only taking money. Many people have said their valuables have been left behind despite money being taken.

That is leaving folks in Key uneasy.

"There is even neighbors that are afraid to leave their homes for fear of being robbed when they leave,” said Higgins.

If you have any tips for police regarding the break-ins, call the NEWS9 CRIMEBUSTERS Tipline at 1800-862-BUST or send an email to crimebusters@wtov.com.