Authorities are staying alert and urging residents to report anysuspicious subjects after a man believed to be linked to the serialkiller in Louisiana was spotted in Mississippi last week.

“We haven’t had any reports here yet, but people do need to bealert and watch what’s going on around them,” said Lincoln CountySheriff Lynn Boyte.

Law enforcement authorities have been provided with a compositepicture of a man who attempted to abduct a 15-year-old girl inWoodville.

The Wilkinson County town is near the Louisiana state line. Thecounty is bordered by Adams, Franklin and Amite Counties.

Due to the closeness of the report, authorities are looking atthe possibility that the suspect could appear in the area, soofficers are using the composite to help them watch out for thesuspect.

“We’re very concerned about it. We’re trying to really be on thelook out,” said Brookhaven Police Chief Arlustra “Pap” Henderson.”Some officers have it (composite) in their cars, and they’ve allseen it.”

Since women seem to be the target of the suspect, authoritiesencourage all female residents to take extra precaution.

“People need to park near a light or near the store if they goout at night, and they shouldn’t go out alone,” said Boyte. “Theycan also carry something with them like a whistle or pepper sprayin case they are attacked.”

The most important rule for women to remember would be to havesomeone with them at all times, following the safety in numbersphilosophy.

“I notice here in Brookhaven women usually walk in pairs, whichis safe. I think they know how to conduct themselves in a safemanner,” said Henderson.

However, he pointed out that people can never be too safe. Everyprecaution should be taken at all times.

“We want the citizens, especially females, to be very careful asfar as picking up strangers or even talking to them,” he said.

Residents can help officers provide a safe environment inBrookhaven and Lincoln County by watching for suspicious vehiclesand suspicious persons.

“If they spot something, the first thing would be to keep quietabout it and get to a phone as quickly as possible to call a lawenforcement officer,” said Boyte.

When noticing suspicious behavior, people should attempt to getthorough clothing description, vehicle description, tag number anddirection of travel to report to officers.

People can report suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1, or theBrookhaven Police Department at 833-2424, or the Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department at 833-5231.