Pubdate: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 Source: Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register (WV) Copyright: 2003 The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register Contact: http://www.intellnews.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1633 TAKING A BITE OUT OF CRIME With Wheeling Island made too hot for them, it was to be expected that those dealing in illegal drugs would shift their activities to elsewhere in the city. With help from those living in the affected neighborhood, authorities can chase the slime out of their new lair, too. Members of the Island Community Association were commended by law enforcement officials last week, for helping in the fight against illegal drugs. Wheeling Island residents "deserve a lot of credit," commented Thomas Johnston, who is U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. Indeed they do. Community assistance can make the difference between merely inconveniencing drug dealers and putting them out of business. People who live in affected neighborhoods can be invaluable as eyes and ears for authorities. That's what happened on Wheeling Island, leading up to the arrest of 31 people in December. But, as Wheeling Police Officer Rob Marriner noted last week, it is difficult to stamp out the problem entirely. After December, "drugs have picked up in East Wheeling," he explained. We doubt that will continue for long - because East Wheeling residents are as determined as their neighbors on the Island to take a bite out of crime. We encourage East Wheeling residents to help police do just that.Wherever It Is in Wheeling - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom