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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Families around the Valley are on high alert. Many are taking action to make sure they're not the next victims in a string of burglaries and home invasions.

Just this week, two homeowners in the southwest valley have been forced to fight back against intruders. They're the latest in a growing number of residents who are being targeted in their own home.

Compared to this time last year, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirms that burglaries are up about six percent valley-wide. Unfortunately, in some neighborhoods, that percentage is a lot larger.

"My son sleeps with pepper spray by his bed," says Kim Neukam. "He's afraid this person will come back."

Neukam, a single mother of two, lives on a street with only nine houses, near Charleston Boulevard and Ft. Apache Road. Three of those houses were broken into within a month. And in one of those cases, elderly residents were home when the intruder struck.

"It can happen so fast," she says. "You really need to be prepared to defend yourself and your family. My family does have a gun, but we never thought we'd have it in our home for protection. This has changed that."

Like many in her area, Neukam installed a security system in her home and leaves lights on at all times. She also took it a step further, and organized a neighborhood watch.

Police say being proactive like that is crucial.

"Even a trivial bit of information, that may not seem important to you at the time, could be key in solving a crime," says Officer Laura Meltzer. "Keep an eye out, and if you see something, say something."

Officer Meltzer also recommends going online, and utilizing www.crimemapping.com and www.alertid.com.

"People can go to those websites and see what crimes are happening in their area, and receive alerts," she says. "Alert ID also gives you the chance to interact with other people in the community. It's a way to share information."

Meltzer says open communication with neighbors and police is the best way to keep your community safe.
   
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Burglary Statistics (Homes & Businesses) Year-to-Date for the Week Ending 2/2/13, as compared to the same time last year:
Bolden Area Command - Burglaries up 6.59%
Convention Center Command - Burglaries up 9.68%
Downtown Area Command - Burglaries up 18.03%
Enterprise Area Command - Burglaries up .037%
Northeast Area Command  - Burglaries down 12.04%
Northwest Area Command - Burglaries up 28.7%
South Central Area Command - Burglaries up 22.81%
Southeast Area Command - Burglaries down 10.23%