SPRINGFIELD -- Here's a follow-up to a special KY3 News investigative report in November about people stealing from a charity. The Salvation Army reports a major drop in thefts. Here's why.

This is happening more and more often these days at the Salvation Army: people are dropping off donations during business hours. It's a big change from the last time we checked.

Our hidden camera investigation found thieves crawling all over donations to the Salvation Army like ants at a picnic. So, what's changed?

A sign that's been here all along says "No dumping." A new, bigger sign warns people about the use of cameras.

"It almost just immediately stopped everything," said Maj. Norman Grainger, the local leader of the Salvation Army. "I think what it was was people saying, 'Oh, video surveillance,' and people looking up and seeing the camera. and thinking 'Oh, oh, I don't want to be on that thing,' especially having seen it on KY3."

The Salvation Army spent $2,000 on an eight-camera video surveillance system. The dock has looked a lot like this since the video system went up: empty -- except on Dec. 23.

"Still, some people drop off.. And that's what you can see on this video screen: somebody turned up in a blue van and, in a moment, you'll see them dropping off a mattress and a few other items," said Grainger.

The mattresses actually cost the charity. They weren't clean enough the next day to re-use. They had to be dumped at the landfill.

Still, between the cameras, the new sign and the publicity, thefts from the dock are way down.

"If there's no dropoffs, then nobody is scavenging through the donations," said Grainger.

Salvation Army ask people to keep on helping. Simply, it asks people to take donations to the front door instead of dropping items on the back dock after hours. If you can't make it during regular business hours, the number to call to schedule a pickup by the Salvation Army is (417) 866-9426.