HOUSTON -- Police joined forces to target burglars in far southwest Houston and the eastern part of Fort Bend County, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

Several months ago, officers noticed the number of burglaries rising in the area that bordered Highway 288 to the east, Fondren Road to the west, Main Street to the north and Mchard Road and Fort Bend County to the south.

"In Fort Bend County, as well as in Houston, there's a coordinated effort between law enforcement and the cooperation that we provide each other in apprehending criminal suspects in this area is truly outstanding," said HPD Chief Harold Hurtt.

Hurtt said the area has seen a 54 percent reduction in burglaries since the burglary reduction initiative started in October. He said more then 25 burglars have been arrested. Hurtt said that means burglaries have fallen from 190 in October to 87 recorded in January.

"I know that in the future, we will be moving to more neighborhoods and we will be able to change those neighborhoods. We may not be able to completely stop crime, but we can deter it. We can move those offenders out of the neighborhoods of our community," Harris County Precinct 7 Constable May Walker said.

Resident Bob Simpson said he has seen a change in his southwest Houston neighborhood.

"The more police you have in the area, the better," he said. "I think it's a good start. I think it's a help and I'm looking forward to how it works out."