We live in a small town

I've always felt safe in our neighborhood. Someone broke into Ms Betty's old house (directly behind us, like 50 ft from my kitchen windows) Thursday afternoon/early evening and stole some cash and a few small items. Laura told the police she saw a few teenagers walking down the road with some money and jewelry in their hands, no one older noticed anything. No one wants to get near my dogs, especially Honey (part pit bull, sounds really mean). I told the neighbor if we ever see anyone around their house when they are not home, I can let the dogs out, as that should scare them off fairly quickly. My dogs love the neighbor, he fed them hotdogs, steak, etc to get on their good side.