Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2000
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS)
Copyright: 2000 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Contact:  616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, Kansas 66607
Website: http://cjonline.com/
Author: Lori Lindsay

RESIDENTS SAY DRUGS ARE AT ROOT OF CRIMES

A shoot-out that occurred at a house in Desiree Lyons' neighborhood at 
4 p.m. one Sunday last year put the lives of Lyons and her two small 
children in danger.  

Although they were uninjured and the target was a house across the 
street, Lyons said, the incident was the last straw. Something needed 
to be done about all the crime in her neighborhood, so Lyons decided to 
join the East End Neighborhood Improvement Association.  

"We call police" and "Beware of dog" signs decorate the yards of many 
houses in the neighborhoods of East Topeka, where the East End 
neighborhood is situated. Lyons and other residents say crime is 
thriving, and police do little to help. In Lyon's neighborhood, she 
said, drugs are the primary problem.  

"They lead to vandalism, break-ins and robberies," she said. She said 
she has even seen people walking around outdoors smoking marijuana 
joints.  

"They don't care," Lyons said.  

Gary Goodman, who lived in East Topeka for 15 years before moving to 
the city's Highland Park area, formerly served as vice president of 
East End NIA.  

Goodman said crime is rampant and has gotten worse in East Topeka. He 
also blames drugs.  

"Crack cocaine is the root cause of robberies and shootings," Goodman 
said.  

Although Goodman claims crime is getting worse, statistics indicate 
crime is decreasing. Property crimes have steadily decreased in East 
Topeka since 1996, according to police records.  

In police patrol area 440 (east of S.E. Branner Trafficway, north of 
S.E. 10th Street and south of the Kansas River), police records show 
1.75 violent crimes were committed per 100 population in 1997, a mark 
that dropped to 1.02 per 100 population in 1999.  

Property crime declined from 10.84 per 100 population in 1997 to 8.14 
per 100 population in 1999.  

But to many residents of East Topeka and Highland Park who are crime 
victims or know crime victims, a decline in neighborhood crime doesn't 
make them feel secure.  

Randy Wright, who lives in the 2100 block of S.E. Colorado, came home 
earlier this year to find his house had been burglarized. Although the 
security system was on, he said, police failed to respond.  

Goodman voiced the perception that police haven't been much help when 
it comes to reducing crime. He thinks they need to get more involved.  

But Byron Lewis Jr., who lives in the 1300 block of S.E. Lawrence, said 
he does see a police presence and it makes him feel a little safer. 
Since the tires were stolen from his car earlier this year, he has 
noticed police patrolling the neighborhood.  

Desiree Lyons' criticism of police is that they patrol at the wrong 
times.  

"When you most need them, you can't get them there," she said. "I want 
a quicker response."  

Police Lt. John Sidwell would not comment on opinions of police without 
knowing specific incidents to address, but noted that the people he has 
talked to in East Topeka have told him police are very responsive.  

"We have a community officer that works very hard and diligently in 
that area," Sidwell said. "Could we do better? Sure. Are we trying to 
do better? You bet."  

Laura Senogles, who had her front door wide open at her home near S.E. 
23rd and Maryland, said she felt safe in her neighborhood. She gives 
credit to a sheriff's deputy who lives two doors down.  

But not every resident of East Topeka or Highland Park has a law 
enforcement officer as a neighbor, and developing a feeling of safety 
can be difficult.  

Lewis said eliminating drug houses from East Topeka would make the area 
safer.  

Lyons suggested citizens join watch patrols. Action is the way to 
prevent crime, she said.  

Lyons noted that her NIA's neighborhood watch patrol has six vehicles 
that volunteers drive through the area looking for suspicious activity. 
Anyone interested in joining can contact Lyons at (785) 235-2059.  

To see crime statistics concerning East Topeka and Highland Park, visit 
www.cjonline.com/crimezones/.  
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MAP posted-by: John Chase