DAYTON - Despite what may seem like a surge in the vehicle prowls in Dayton, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office reports the incidences of car break-ins are down from last year.

Sheriff Walt Hessler said the numbers are decreasing because of the office's dili- gence on the streets.

In the same time period in 2011, January to August, the sheriff's office received 30 reports of vehicle prowls out of the total 46 for the year, according to according to a release prepared by Dian McClurg of the sheriff's of- fice. The January to August total for 2012 is 21, down nine reports from last year.

He...