An inside look -
Today's headline at the Daily Local News is a story about a drug bust in West Chester on Thursday. Like the Local said, roughly $80k worth of cocaine and marijuana were seized. Suspects were arrested. And the investigation is ongoing. I haven't yet read the online comments. ( I usually wait until afternoon when most people have already commented) I'm sure the comments will range from full-on support and appreciation for a job well done, to all-out disdain for police and anti-drug policy. There may even be cries of police corruption and political motivation.
Well, here's the truth. The location of the particular residence and other details are being withheld, from this blog at least, to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. The residence was one that generated dozens of complaints over the last few years. For years, law enforcement has been investigating. Because The West Chester Police, and law enforcement at large, plays by the rules and follows the law, it took a very long time to get to where the police got on Thursday. Because of constitutional protections and legal procedure, the police can't simply raid houses and seize evidence willy-nilly. In this particular case, I know there would be several neighbors who would have been much happier if police did not have to follow procedure, if they did not have to build probable cause, if they did not have to build a case over the course of years. Several neighbors, good law abiding people, would have been much happier of police did break the rules. The problem would have been solved much sooner. However, because The West Chester Police, and law enforcement at large, are PROFESSIONALS, they did follow the rules.
Some more truth. Yes, I acknowledge, that this raid, or any one drug bust, will not solve all of the problems. There will still surely be drugs in West Chester, and everywhere else. Last night, today, and everyday hereafter, addicts will still find their drugs, and dealers will still make their money. However, there are several residents on an undisclosed street in West Chester who are a little happier now, a little safer now, and a little more satisfied with law enforcement now.
For anyone who does not believe that the previous sentence is true, click here.
Let the fallout begin.
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good comments.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the residents on that unnamed street.
As homeowners and proud neighbors, we are constantly trying to keep our investments and the neighborhood up.
I am one of the many who have called police over and over on that particular place, for years.
Cockfighting, illegal animals, poor upkeep by the landlord. The landlord is richer than Gawd, yet she "maintains" that house as a Section 8.
This has perplexed us all for years, as the block is definitely NOT a Section 8 neighborhood. A few of us have contacted the landlord over the years, whose response to our complaints was "Call the Police if there is a problem." It's this kind of absentee landowner who perpetuates this kind of criminal behavior with her hands-off policy.
I'm sure the original lessee on that house has been long gone, and the landlord has no idea who has been living there. I hope her Section 8 status is reevaluated. Re: the bust: I understand the police have to build a case; however, who is protecting us law-abiders in the meantime? Often we feel abandoned by those who are paid through our tax dollars to serve us. Still: I guess better late than never....
Anonymous: the police are obviously there to serve you, the residents. While this case may seem like a perfect example of how frustrating these situations can be, I think it's a perfect example of how neighbors can make their communities better, safer even, by partnering with police. Yes, progress does take time. But without the help of the neighbors, progress doesn't happen at all.
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