It is holiday time and the Monroe County Sheriff Department along with other city police departments have already began to increase patrol for a safe holiday season.

"We have increased the patrols on our highways, local business, churches, and homes," Monroe County Sheriff Bill Bivens said. "We also have many neighborhood watch programs that are helping keep watch on families and friends homes. We all need to remember that increased crime occurs during the holiday season. Please keep an extra watch for any suspicious activity in your neighborhood and report it to the proper department. We ask that everyone consider the increased traffic of everyone traveling to visit family, friends, attending Church programs and Christmas shopping."

See full story in the Sunday, Nov. 25, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.