Written by Rose R.

The arrests of four people suspected in the continuing north Texas home invasions have brought a temporary sigh of relief across the area. Everyone in north Texas has kept up with each home invasion over the last three years. Violent and calculated, each gave a warning notice across six counties to all residents.

Beginning in 2005, and totaling more than 70 cases, police say most of the invasions included beatings and various forms of torture. Police say they believe these four are part of a larger gang, according to NBC5i.com.

I live in the north Dallas/Richardson area in an average upper-middle-class neighborhood. The conversation at neighborhood functions and local school events always works its way to this subject. For what seems to have been 10 years -- even though it has only been about three -- news coverage of any home invasion in the DFW metroplex creates a constant reminder of that potential in our neighborhood.

My family has not been victim to a home invasion -- yet. It keeps us knocking on wood. It seems those responsible did not stay in any certain area while committing their crimes. Because of that, no neighborhood has been safe. Each neighborhood should be concerned. Ours certainly has been.

Everyone I have spoken with is relieved. However, each person I have spoken with today has said the same thing: "OK, if it was a GANG, are the rest of them going to continue to plan and carry out these home invasions?" Dallas police seem to think they have the main culprits. But what about the one that is out on bond? I suppose we won't know the answer until some time passed.

In the meantime, our neighborhood began, over a year ago, to plan and protect each other. When my neighbors figured out these invasions were connected and the police weren't having any luck, we had a neighborhood meeting.

We already had a neighborhood watch in place. Signs went up. And we appointed people to leadership roles. Needless to say, time and life put our watch in the background. We felt compelled by the violence of the home invasions to rethink the way we lived as neighbors.

We assigned dates and times for extra resident-led patrols at night and during the times of the previous robberies. We met regularly with local police officers, inviting them to talk to our neighborhoods on how to operate a neighborhood watch program. We also sought the services of local security companies.

Now everyone watches out for everyone else. All of our neighbors are happy to take a turn riding around the area at night to keep us safe. We take our turn as well. Most residents have upgraded security systems or have plans to do it soon.

Neighbors should be more mindful of each other. Our neighborhood has become more aware. Hopefully, this episode is over. If these are the culprits, the Dallas Police should be commended.

For now, our neighborhood feels safer.