Neighbours along Leo Lane have had to deal with rising water levels and say they now worry about potential looters.

Volunteers are usually welcome, but not at 3:30 a.m.

Residents of a neighbourhood in Cumberland that has been dealing with the rising water levels along the Ottawa River say they've had to stop people who they believe are potential looters from getting into the area.

"There's nosy people coming over, there's looters that came two days ago (on Friday), I believe," said Genevieve Landry, a resident of Leo Lane in Cumberland.

About a week ago, a man showed up around 3:30 a.m. and was spotted by a neighbour out on patrol. When the neighbour approached the man, he said he was only there to volunteer.

Landry explained that they've been conducting patrols around homes every night because there is some heavy duty and expensive equipment involved in keeping the flood waters away from homes.

"We're thankful and grateful for the volunteers that are concerned with us and have helped us," said Landry. "But for the people who are just nosey, it makes (puts) us a little bit on edge."

The neighbourhood has requested an increase in security to help keep people out of the area.