WILMINGTON -- It's been called a den of criminal activity. Two men were arrested on drug-related charges Sunday afternoon from a Wilmington home police know well.
It's part of a new crime-fighting philosophy from the Wilmington Police Department called geographical-based policing.
One-eleven Montgomery Street in Wilmington has been a problem in the community for years. Since 1999 more than 200 complaints -- ranging from loud music to domestic disputes -- have been called in to police.
The WPD performed what they call a knock and talk to try to clean up the neighborhood.
Sgt. Curt Stansbury said, "Just today knocking on the door we've got possession of cocaine, we have possession of drug paraphernalia charges that are stemming from this knock and talk."
Two men, Lawrence Handsley and James Jacob Grady were arrested on drug-related charges. Wilmington Police officers say houses like this are poisons to the community.
"There are lots of children in this neighborhood. This brings some of the worst people in society to their houses," Sgt. Stansbury said.
Cops say with the drugs come guns, which often end up in the hands of neighborhood teenagers.
"These are definitely not role models in our society. These houses are terrible and they need to be cleaned up," Sgt. Stansbury said.
The new geographical-based policing program is working to shut down operations like this one down. But the task isn't easy.
Sgt. Stansbury said, "It's challenging, it's difficult to clean these houses up you have to have cooperation from the neighborhood."
The geographical policing program has proven effective in the past. The department hopes bringing it back will yield the same results or better going forward.
SWAT TEAM !!
This is absolutely ridiculous! I'm all for law enforcement, but what the **** is this about?? They can knock at the door and arrest people there for drugs?! Just IMAGINE what they may find if they actually went into the house. I wonder how much of Wilmington's drug problem starts right here. I say call in the SWAT team and anybody sitting, standing, or walking within a 200ft. radius of this hell hole, put their trifling, sorry *** behinds bars! What does it take to Bust these people??
Time to bulldoze some houses
Time to bulldoze some houses like they do in other sities for problem drug houses.
Maybe a crack-head will drop a lighter and burn it down.
Drug houses
There is a house on Red Cross Street that is a DRUG HOUSE TOO !! The lady that lives across from it has called the WPD about it many times and so has my friend. Police say they cant do a thing unless they have proof!! All they have to do is sit outside it one night and see the drug traffic. Why can they just knock and bust this house it is only 4 blocks from the friggin police station????
My friend has looked up the owner of the rented house and sent them a letter, it will do no good I am sure.
IT's NOTHING NEW
This is disturbing but it is nothing new... Assaults,stabbings,robberies, home invasions, and even murder...It happens every day...Just read the paper, listen to the radio or just take a look around you...What is being done to stop the trend...
I had a stroke recently and when I returned home from the hospital and re-hab center,Property had been stolen from my parked vehicles and my backyard. There is no respect for your person, family or property...And we allow it to continue... The police would not even come out to look around...They took a report over the phone...I guess they were too busy sitting around the office...Well I have no insurance so I have just lost my property...
I am to the point where I move my gun so it will be near me all the time...But this makes me feel as though I am lowering myself to the level of the criminal element...We had all best be watching Those running for public office... Vote for those who favor strict, no nonsense,law enforcement and make our police chief subject only to the city council and not a city manager that can fire him on a whim...
And it's time we look at the rights we give those arrested for crimes...They are protected more than their victims...