By Jeff Lipton
Cops carried out 98 drug-related arrests, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2001, as compared with 49 for the same 12-month period in 2000. The drug dragnet included 20 arrests of suspects accused of selling illegal narcotics, as compared with 13 in 2000, a 54 percent jump; and 39 persons were charged with drug possession, a whopping 160 percent increase from the 15 caught in possession of drugs in 2000.
About 86 percent more arrests were carried out for marijuana possession as well, jumping in number from 21 to 39.
The increased numbers can be directly attributed to the creation of an anti-crime unit, which was deployed for the first full year in 2001, police said. Two teams made up of two officers apiece were assembled to fight quality of life crimes, such as drug activity, working undercover in unmarked cars to catch suspects in the act of dealing or using, said Insp. George Gudmundsen, Fourth Precinct commander.
We are committed to having a war against drug activity in this precinct, Gudmundsen said. The anti-crime patrols have increased enforcement and led to an increase in the number of reports and arrests.
In 1999, there were only eight arrests for drug possession, 12 for drug sale and nine for marijuana possession, police stats show.
In addition to 100 percent more arrests in 2001, the number of reports of drugs has escalated by almost 80 percent, with drug possession reports skyrocketing 127 percent, from 15 to 34, and marijuana reports from 13 to 30, a 131 percent hike. But reports of drug deals have fallen 45 percent, from 11 to 6, police statistics show.
Gudmundsen said the drug crackdown was key to helping reduce crime in the Five Towns because often robberies and burglaries are committed to feed a drug habit. Overall, major crime continued its downward spiral in 2001, with a 1.1 percent drop from the prior year.
It means an enhanced quality of life for all residents, the inspector said. People involved in drug activity often commit crimes to get money for drugs. So it's very important to increase drug enforcement activity.
In one of the most wide-ranging drug busts in 2001, police rounded up 10 suspects on Sept. 7 in simultaneous raids on three buildings in Inwood at 85 Lawrence Avenue, 127 Lawrence Avenue and 14 Mott Avenue. In those raids, police from the Narcotics/Vice Bureau and the Bureau of Special Operations, seized a fully-loaded handgun, cocaine, crack/cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and $3,100 in drug proceeds, authorities said. About 25 cops were involved in the three-month undercover operation.
But despite the raids and the additional enforcement, local residents said drugs are still prevalent. It's a chronic problem here, said one Inwood resident, who did not want to be identified. It has its ups and downs in this area.
She said the drug hot spots are still Mott Avenue and Lawrence Avenue, particularly near the railroad. No way will I go out there at night, she said. The drug situation has been about the same. There's been no real change.
But Peter Visconti, associate director of the Five Towns Community Center on Lawrence Avenue, said, Folks who live here feel fairly comfortable. I don't sense that much fear now [with drug activity]. I often visit the seniors who attend the senior center here and I don't hear the fear issue.
But he said anytime teens are surveyed they always mention that drug activity is a major concern for their age group. Drugs are still prevalent and there still needs to be a continued effort of enforcement], Visconti said.
Since the community borders Far Rockaway, it is more difficult to keep clamps on the drug scourge, officials said.
But officials added that drug activity can and does occur all over the Five Towns, including Woodmere and Hewlett.
