Rowdy youths, drug dealing and vandalism are problems that plague city neighborhoods. They’re hardly new anywhere.
But street-corner drug dealing has been on the rise in Millbrook, members of the neighborhood’s civic association learned during their meeting at the Calvary Athletic Association on Sept. 27.
Mike Bremser, the civic group’s recording secretary, said some members have been talking to youths to try to get them off corners. Rudy Muller, the 8th Police District’s community relations officer, said reviving an area Town Watch would help put drug deals in check.
Alicia Hernandez-Mette, community support specialist for Town Watch Integrated Services, told members that the organization could help residents revive a Town Watch chapter. People could patrol the neighborhood, or be “eyes and ears” to report what they see to police.
Bremser and other members had made a pitch to do that last year. Last month, Bremser repeated the lament that initial interest in a Town Watch typical seems good but quickly wanes.
Hernandez-Mette said her group offers training for those interested in either patrolling or remaining at home as “eyes and ears.” Town Watch members have no police powers, but “observe and report” to police when they see trouble or suspicious activities.
Anyone interested in getting involved in Town Watch can call Hernandez-Mette at 215–686–1418. ••
