Crime report: Biggest public nuisance in Sanford, Fla. isn't protests...

In Oakland, they've been setting fires and and trashing cars.  Surprisingly, no arrests have been made.

In New York, protesters hurled glass bottles and at least seven have been carted off to jail.

In Los Angeles, police are being pelted with batteries and rocks.  Another seven arrested.

But while large protests continue to break out in cities across the country, the city known for being Ground Zero of the George Zimmerman murder trial is setting a positive example and hitting back at the media's false narrative of a deeply divided community.

According to the local paper, the Sanford Herald, there were no reported crimes related to any sort of heated protest -- that is, unless you consider driving with a suspended license or stealing diapers from Walmart as a form of political protest.  Respect for the law: Sanford residents are doing it right.

In fact, Herald editor Rachel Delinski notes that the real public nuisance Sanford residents would like to be rid of is the national media:

Amid this small-town ambiance was - what locals perceive to be - an intruder. At either end of 1st Street sat news vans with cameras set-up and reporters asking those that pass by to comment on the "feeling" in Sanford.

After complaints from local businesses, Mayor Jeff Triplett approached a group of them to ask if they'd be willing to move.

They're weren't. [...]

Resident Denny Gibbs posted a photo Friday night from The Imperial, a downtown bar, showing guests mingling and having fun. She included a sarcastic caption: "See...everyone is so afraid of Sanford! Lol!"

The following morning The West End Trading Company owner Paul Williams made another post: "Don't let the media tell you what to do friends! Sanford residents and visitors will act responsibly as they always have! Get out there and support all the fine things our city has to offer today." [...]

In an interview Saturday Williams said, "There continues to be talk of rioting and mayhem in the media, and reporting that is irresponsible in my opinion. Sanford citizens and visitors have been peaceful throughout these circumstances, and I see no indication that this will change."

Indeed, the Seminole County Sheriff's Department sent out this tweet noting that weekend protests drew more members of the media than protesters:

Courthouse assembly zone right now: 32 media and 19 demonstrators

— Seminole County S.O. (@SeminoleSO) July 13, 2013

New York, L.A. and Oakland could all learn a thing or two from the residents of Sanford, Fla.  And as other protests pop up across the country this week, let's hope they follow the positive example that has been set for them.