NBR: Increase in Drug Sales, C.O.P's - Suggestions? *LONG*

AMW054

I am currently in the process of moving to a street that I have lived on before, so I know a lot of the people on the street and I am there quite frequently. I will become a resident again on September 26th.The street is divided between Baltimore City and Baltimore County; the majority is county and I am county.

Over the past few years this street has went from having a lot of older people on it to some younger families (people in their 20's maybe 30's with children).

This was a great street until the past few months. There has been people buying and selling drugs on the street in the middle of the day and for the most part it is the same people and cars.

People on the street have gotten tag numbers and we continue to call the police, who have stated that they will have some officers drive around, but I feel like that isn't really going to help the issue. Many people on the street have noticed the changes and it's just upsetting because it used to be drugs all around this street, but not on this street.

Yesterday, we filed a police report after one of the neighbors said something to a woman buying drugs, the person she bought from threatened to blow up that neighbors house. When the police arrived they knew exactly who we were talking about and stated that the woman buying the drugs lives a street over...her place backs up against the house my husband and I will be moving in to.

My concerns are not only the drugs, but the safety of the people on the street, including my family and I. I am going to be a first time mom in a few months and I'm concerned that I have this woman living behind and buying drugs out front...not specifically her per se, but the trouble around her. I don't see her as a treat really, just the people she buys from. She literally sits on the curb out front of the house and waits for her ride, which continues to irritate me.

At this point, the nieghbors have been talking about starting up a Citizens on Patrol group (C.O.P.'s), but I am concerned that this may be ineffective. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how their community has handled these kinds of issues? Did they start a C.O.P.'s group? Were the methods effective?

Thank you!

dixee.deluxe

We live on a drug corner.  We just keep calling.  Increased police (city and state) presence seems to distract the buyers from parking in our driveway (which happens daily).  I assume they just move to another corner for a little while until the police lose interest.

I've thought of writing a letter to the newspaper.  I think since most people where I live choose to ignore that this is going on in their families, it might be eye opening.  I always think I might write something like "Yes, it's your children driving your SUVs buying drugs in my driveway".

jnealet

We have a COP group in our neighborhood.  I don't know how effective it has been but things have been getting better.  We also have a neighborhood association that is very active and community benefits district that works to keep the neighborhood clean and safe. 

I know people who live on a street that is more known for drug sales, they just call the police often and the drug dealers know it.  Some days are better than others.

 

AMW054

dixee.deluxe:

We live on a drug corner.  We just keep calling.  Increased police (city and state) presence seems to distract the buyers from parking in our driveway (which happens daily).  I assume they just move to another corner for a little while until the police lose interest.

I've thought of writing a letter to the newspaper.  I think since most people where I live choose to ignore that this is going on in their families, it might be eye opening.  I always think I might write something like "Yes, it's your children driving your SUVs buying drugs in my driveway".

I think I may try to find something to help our street cause more awareness to the situation.

That would be a great headline!

AMW054

jnealet:

We have a COP group in our neighborhood.  I don't know how effective it has been but things have been getting better.  We also have a neighborhood association that is very active and community benefits district that works to keep the neighborhood clean and safe. 

I know people who live on a street that is more known for drug sales, they just call the police often and the drug dealers know it.  Some days are better than others.

 

I am hoping that the COPS program they're working on in our neighborhood will work. The issue seems to be that people don't want to volunteer to "patrol" the neighborhood because they can't be armed with anything other than a cell-phone and pepper spray, where as, the dealers could potentially be carrying a gun, knife, or whatever.

The drug dealers obviously know where we live and they know that we, and other people on the street keep calling the police...I am just hoping they are more on the lower level rather than trying to do something about it.

dixee.deluxe

AMW054:

know where we live and they know that we, and other people on the street keep calling the police.

Last night after my run, I thought about starting a FB page where I'd post all the tag numbers of the "buyers".  But, I would fear for my safety because of this.  Which is a bummer.

AMW054

dixee.deluxe:

AMW054:

know where we live and they know that we, and other people on the street keep calling the police.

Last night after my run, I thought about starting a FB page where I'd post all the tag numbers of the "buyers".  But, I would fear for my safety because of this.  Which is a bummer.

Yeah - if they don't know it's you calling the police you can submit an anonymous article to the newspaper that icludes the tag numbers! Someone may see their tag number though and get offended..."no, my kid wouldn't be buying drugs, especially in my car!"