UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A recent string of crimes has locals on high alert, but things aren't always as they seem. HOMTV's Emily Scarlett has the story.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - "East Lansing is definitely a great place to live."

East Lansing resident Jeremy Norris takes pride in his city...despite having just learned about about an armed robbery near a health care facility he visits often, at Plato's Closet on Grand River.

Well, Jeremy might also want to know about another incident that happened not far from Plato's Closet at the Meridian Mall. Four individuals are suspected of stealing about $1200 worth of sunglasses from Sunglass Hut.

Yet, and still, Meridian Township Police Lieutenant Greg Frenger tells HOMTV the overall crime rate has been down the last few years.

Frenger gives a possible explanation for the perception that crime rates are up.

"I think we're hearing a lot of more violent crimes. Maybe local law enforcement is doing a better job of getting information out about violent crimes," says the lieutenant.

In the end, Jeremy says none of this changes the way he feels about East Lansing. "I think it's something to worry about, but in the future I think it's not a big deal."