Pubdate: Mon, 23 May 2005
Source: High Point Enterprise (NC)
Copyright: 2005 High Point Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.hpe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/576
Author: Lance Benzel

RESIDENTS SAY ANTI-CRIME INITIATIVE IS MAKING DIFFERENCE

HIGH POINT - Residents of the Daniel Brooks Homes area will need to work 
together with police to ensure the continued success of a recent anti-drug 
strategy there.

That was the message from Police Chief Jim Fealy at a recent meeting to 
review the first six weeks of the Daniel Brooks Initiative, begun April 5.

"We've only done the heavy lifting and it's just getting started," Fealy 
told about 30 residents at the True Standard Holiness Church last week. 
"What you do from here on out is the most important thing."

While police say it's too early for a statistical analysis of the drop in 
crime, they say testimonials from officers and residents are enough to 
convince them of the success.

Several residents supported that view Wednesday night, telling police they 
see less loitering and open-air drug sales throughout the public housing 
development.

Among the attendees was a 51-year-old woman who had been targeted by police 
as a drug suspect. She apologized to the group and vowed she had turned her 
life around.

The initiative aims at providing a focused response to addressing drug dealing.

Rather than raid the entire neighborhood, police instead focus on the 
handful of drug dealers they say drive the street-level trade, while 
indirectly fueling associated activity such as violence, prostitution and 
other crime.

Nine suspects were confronted by police and community activists April 5.

They were told that police might already have evidence against them that 
could land them in jail and were offered help finding legitimate jobs or 
new places to live if they agreed to stop dealing.

If they refused, the officers promised swift prosecution and the stiffest 
penalties available. Since the call-in, only one of the nine had been 
arrested on drug charges.
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