Virtual Neighborhood Watch

Cave Junction, Ore — An alleged murderer is behind bars and it’s all thanks to a call from an informed citizen.

A couple of Facebook groups may be to thank for spreading the word about Daniel Martinson.

The world wide web is a helping hand to law enforcement in Josephine County.

“It’s a tremendous help to this community,” said Sheriff Gil Gilbertson.

The page “to catch a thief”, just one of the ways citizens are stepping up to combat crime, as law enforcement faces shrinking budgets.

“It is eyes and ears, it can be information for law enforcement, information for neighbors,” said Carol Dickson.

Dickson started the Facebook group in 2012.

“If we’re aware of a suspicious vehicle, if we’re aware of criminal activity at a certain house or whatever, you’re more cautious, you’re more able to protect your own property and yourself,” said Dickson.

Since then 4000 members have joined, acting as a virtual neighborhood watch. All those eyes and ears have led to raising awareness of crime in the area, possibly even having a hand in the capture of alleged murderer Daniel Martinson.

“We was a homicide suspect, we’re glad he’s off the street and he’ll get his day in court.”

Martinson is in jail after allegedly killing a Cave Junction man.

He was found walking near Jubilee Park in Cave Junction after a food bank employee says he wanted to turn himself in.

Dickson says the constant pressure may have forced Martinson to make the decision to give up.

“When resources are slim and there’s a lot going on they kept the pressure on out here and kudos to the citizen that called in,” said Dickson.

Dickson hopes it inspires other citizens to do what they can… To help stop crime in their community.

Cave Junction’s not alone in working to stop crime online. Dickson’s group was the inspiration for other neighborhood watch groups like Gold Hill’s “It’s Just Us”.