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On a sunny afternoon, with a cloudless blue sky high above the Largo community, birds chirped, dogs barked and trees were just beginning to bloom.

But a week after the second homicide of a mother and daughter in the Largo area, no one was outside enjoying Monday's serene afternoon. Nervous residents have resigned themselves, at least for now, to staying in locked homes.

Anthony Whitaker, 44, lives in the 1000 block of Trebing Lane, one street from the Cedarhollow Lane home of Delores Renee Dewitt, 42, and Ebony Dewitt, 19, with his wife Tonya, 40, and their two young children, ages 8 and 10.

"I keep the door locked, and the kids know to keep the doors and windows locked and to be aware of their surroundings," he said. "I'm afraid until the person is caught."

Police found the Dewitts' burned bodies March 16 in the back seat and trunk of a stolen 2005 Nissan Maxima, in the driveway of a Woodlawn Boulevard home. A spare set of keys to the car was stolen about two weeks earlier from a home near where the car was found.

Less than a half-mile from where the Dewitts were found, Karen Lofton, 45, and her 16-year-old daughter, Karissa Lofton, were found dead Jan. 26 in their home at 10800 Southall Drive.

During a packed neighborhood meeting March 18, Lt. William Rayle, commander of the county homicide department's criminal investigative division, warned residents to make sure their home and car keys are accounted for and to lock windows and doors.

Maj. Andrew Ellis, the police department's chief spokesman, said a handful of residents have called to report missing keys, but there has not been an increase in 911 calls, because residents are likely reporting concerns to officers patrolling the area in large volumes.

A safety seminar scheduled for Saturday is designed to help residents ward off burglaries and attackers.

The two sets of homicides have drawn national attention to the Largo area.

A crew from the television show America's Most Wanted, based in Washington, D.C., filmed March 19 and March 20 at the homes of the Loftons and Dewitts and the driveway where the car was set on fire.

"Someone had to have heard or saw something," said Michelle Sigona, a national correspondent for the show. "I hope they're not afraid and just give whatever they know."

Sigona, as have Prince George's police, urged anyone with information to come forward.

"I believe someone saw something, someone at some point — in the middle of the night, a few weeks before. If they think they see something and it isn't that big of a deal, it really is that big of a deal. Every little nugget will help."

Truline Rodgers, 35, who lives with her 13-year-old son and 35-year-old cousin in the 9800 block of Ambler Avenue, a street from the Dewitts' home, said after the recent homicide she leaves the porch light on every night, comes home before dark and tries not to leave the house if possible.

"It's unnerving — they [lived] right there, in our backyard," Rodgers said. "You always see people walking dogs or pushing strollers, and you just don't see that as much now."

Wendell White, 51, lives in the 10400 block of Woodlawn Boulevard with his wife, Betty Brooks, 56, and two children, ages 10 and 16.

The family sets their house alarm every night before going to bed, something they only did before when on vacation. Like Rodgers, White now leaves his porch light on at night.

"We keep a look for what's out there, any strange activity," he said.

E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.