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Updated July 1: In the wake of a string of violent crimes in downtown Beaufort and the surrounding area, local authorities are asking residents to be just a little more cautious.

Check out The Island Packet's writeup here.

Updated 2:30 p.m. June 30: In regard to our mention below of a 76-year-old man being robbed and beaten, WSAV is reporting that three people have been arrested in connection with that incident.

Check out the WSAV report with the mug shots here.

Reported June 30: Beaufort-area crime reports were aplenty yesterday.

The first to catch our eye was a report of a Burton man charged with shooting his neighbor's dog. You can check that out from The Island Packet here.

The Packet also has a report of a sexual assault on Lady's Island and a home invasion and attack of a 76-year-old man.

In our humble opinion these reports of violent crimes appear to be spiking up over recent months. Same is the case for the Savannah area.