GRAYSON COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- One community is fighting back against criminals who do the unthinkable -- steal from homes while families attend funerals. The main goal of the volunteers is to let people know that there are criminals that will even take advantage of you while you are grieving.
It is not uncommon to see a horse and buggy trot across the road, or hear a tractor buzzing through Leitchfield, Kentucky -- a small town in Grayson County. "And the word got out. And the word got out that we had this danger," said Clydean Cooper, who started up a house-sitting group in Grayson County.
Three men were arrested this summer in connection with two burglaries that happened while families attended funerals. "You never know who's going to be lurking in the background, watching for that house to be empty," said Joyce Bell, Family Services Counselor with Watkins-Oller Funeral Home.
Even the family of Lane Goodwin, the Kentucky teen who inspired the nation as he battled cancer, announced on Facebook that they had friends house-sitting and police patrolling during his funeral.
A group of nearly 20 volunteers in Grayson County has been formed called "Looking Out For Each Other" or LOFEO. All volunteers went through extensive background checks, and carry ID tags. When requested for a funeral, they will sit in your driveway and watch your house. Now, all funeral homes in Grayson County offer their services. "They're thinking about everything but that. And their mind is clouded because they just lost a loved one," added Bell.
Only two people have called on LOFEO, Clydean Cooper, says, because everyone is catching on. "We deserve to be at peace while we're burying a loved one. having a family funeral. I feel that way with all my heart."
You can always check with local law enforcement to see if they can offer a patrol officer to run by your home when available.
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