SHERWOOD, Ark. (KTHV) - Communities and even some neighborhoods have a reputation for strict policing, but for one central Arkansas town's reputation, it has reached all the way to Illinois.
Say the words "Sherwood police" and chances are someone has a story about the department's commitment to the residents. They're known for being active around town with a thriving Facebook page.
What came as a shock though was that a criminal, all the way from Illinois, was also aware of the reputation as he was being arrested last week.
"It just makes you feel safe and protected," said Renee Oliver, a manager at Happy Gray.
"They're prompt. They're also very cautious," said Nicholas Pierce, a tattoo artist at Diamond State Tattoo. "They definitely come in pairs if you get pulled over. I'd say they have a great reputation in Sherwood.”
Last week, Sherwood police arrested a guy accused of committing credit card fraud and forgery in multiple states. But it wasn't the crimes that shocked officers, but what he had to say about the town.
"During the arrest, he made the statement, 'Yeah man, people were telling me not to commit crimes in Sherwood,’” explained Sergeant Keith Wilson.
He said police have no problem being known as a "no-nonsense" department.
"We always like to see whenever a bad guy goes 'You know what, I knew better than to come to Sherwood,'" Wilson said.
His arrest captured the attention of people in Sherwood after it was posted to the police department's neighborhood watch Facebook page, which is a thriving source of concerns, complaints, and community policing.
"It's one thing to have 'x' amount of officers, but when you've got the whole community behind you watching out and reporting things that's when it comes together and really starts to lower our crime rates," said Wilson.
And Sherwood residents are proud that their police have a good reputation.
"Just knowing them on a personal level [and] how much they care about the community and the safety here, that reflects on us as well and gives us that same sense of pride and community,” Oliver said.
"That makes me feel pretty safe actually," Pierce said. "That's why we chose to live here in Sherwood. We heard a lot about the police department and how they operate. I like it.”
You can find the Sherwood Police Neighborhood Watch Page on Facebook by clicking here.