TANGELO PARK, Fla. — A Tangelo Park homeowner is so fed up with crime she posted signs all over her yard threatening to shoot crack heads.
SLIDESHOW: Images Of "Crack Head" Signs
Tocarra Porter and her family are taking crime fighting into their own hands. Porter's mother posted warnings all over their property reading: "Crack heads beware! Step on our property to steal something and we will shoot you!"
"She wants to get her point across. If they come over here she will shoot them," Porter said.
Last week, Porter's car was broken into. She found her car door and truck cracked open. Her purse, some change and a bible her mother gave her 20 years ago were gone.
"I'm pissed they took it," she said.
The Porters say crime is out of control in Tangelo Park and the sheriff's office isn't doing anything. Orange County deputies say that's not the case; property crimes are difficult, if not impossible, to solve unless you catch someone in the act.
WFTV researched Sector 4, the Tangelo Park area, and it has had the most car burglaries. Though, overall, auto burglaries are down 25 percent in the county compared to last year at this time.
Porter says the sign isn't a blank threat. Her family is serious. They've even left items on the front porch for the crooks and are leaving their car doors unlocked.
"If they come in our yard, I'm going to shoot them," she said.
"If one of these individuals takes the law into their own hands and shoots someone on their property for stealing, they may well end up in front of grand jury," WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.
Nevertheless, the Porters have a .357 loaded and ready to go.
According to state law, you have the right to shot an intruder in your home. However, if an intruder is on your lawn or in the backyard, you have to be in imminent danger.
WFTV
