THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A Thomasville woman, who thinks she was the first prowler victim to report the activity to police, received a good report Tuesday from her physician after bouts of physical repercussions from the experience.

The 87-year-old woman had suffered from ongoing high blood pressure and insomnia since the incident, but her condition changed when she realized police were watching out for her.

“I saw them out there one night walking,” the woman said, in reference to Thomasville Police Department officers responding to other prowler reports in her neighborhood in the northeast sector of the city.

After police response to incidents, the woman, who lives alone, said her neighborhood became “quiet and peaceful.” 

“You don’t hear the racket anymore,” she said.

It is the resident’s prayer that police “find out what the problem is.”

“They are appreciated by one person. That’s me,” she said, in reference to police.

Although the woman said she was taking medication to help her sleep, she would wake up at night. She described someone who lives nearby and heard knocking on her door and an attempt to remove a window screen, but the activity was never reported to police.

“I am glad we can assist her with her concerns,” Police Chief Troy Rich said. “That’s what we’re here to do.”

Prowler reports resulted in increased patrols of the area. 

“Police officers are taking a personal interest in this,” Rich said. 

Rich encouraged residents to report suspicious activity to help expedite solving the crimes.

When responding to a prowler report during predawn hours, police stop anyone walking in the area and ask why the individual is out at that hour.

The woman said her doctor told her Tuesday the health concerns have decreased dramatically.

“I had had just about more than I can take. They came to my rescue,” she said, referring to police.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820