“ These are OUR children . This is OUR community . We operate as a team . Speaking up is so important .”
This article is in response to the tragic drug epidemic that is affecting many communities . Considering some obvious activity and concern in Brentwood throughout this past year I have decided to post a factual statement about the recent crime and drugs in the Borough . Primarily , I am a parent and resident myself , so I get all the emotion , frustration , fear and anger . I too feel that way at times but realize I must stick with the facts and add to the solutions . Within the past month I have met with residents , a school board member and have spoken with the police Chief several times regarding the drug epidemic . Yes , it is an epidemic . Brentwood , and the South Hills , is not in a bubble and immune to drugs and crime . If you thought that Brentwood would not be affected by it in some way you should probably enlighten yourself to what is going on all over the state . We are not immune to it . Below I have attached some information links with facts that were provided to me because I requested them . You will see the blue areas on one of the maps are the big drug dealing areas . Notice that Brentwood is NOT blue . We are red because we do , unfortunately , have drug users . Now what we are doing on the Borough level to combat drugs ? ( 1 ) Several members of The Police Department have been teamed up with the Attorney Generals Narcotics Task force in this area to combat drug dealers . It is a special task force specifically designed to monitor and act on drug related activity . ( 2 ) The Chief voluntarily invited the employee assigned to the drug portion of the Allegheny Health Department out to review Brownsville Road to create a plan to keep the walking portion of our District safe . ( 3 ) I was told we are also going to partner with the City of Pittsburgh for Crime reductions strategies . ( 4 ) The Chief mentioned to me a website called Crime Watch PA that he would like the Borough to subscribe too . I am hoping that he does bring it to Council for review as I will vote yes to it . It is an App designed to immediately report suspicious drug activity and crime or tips without having to call 911 or going to the police station . Reporting incidents , tips and drug related activity is so important . After an arrest is made , or drug related situation occur , the individual is now in the hands of the court system and / or social / human services . Our police department has no control of that person ’ s outcome . The Police follow instructions as per
documentation and appearance at the hearings as required . The outcome is ultimately up to the court systems . Sometimes , yes it does appear maybe nothing happened to the criminal , however they may be facing a judicial system and hearings that can sometimes take time to happen . The police also just cannot walk into someone ’ s home and arrest them because they think they are selling drugs . So what can we do to help combat this ? Don ’ t put up with it if you see or hear something ! Make it YOUR business . Start fighting back as a Community . Step up and report crime , tips or any other information you have . Report it often if you must . If you are getting no results , reach out to the police chief and follow up . It is apparent that so few residents actually report things . Report it to the police . Report it to the School Official . Whichever is needed . You cannot be afraid . These are OUR children . This is OUR Community . We operate as a team . Speaking up is so important . Simply informing me , a teacher , or Facebook is not the best way . I know that the school has tried to have parents come in with speakers from the FBI and other sources to educate and talk about drugs , yet parental attendance is always so minimal . Get INVOLVED and show up if the School or Borough should offer a program for education , awareness etc . Be a realist that this dragon can bite anyone at anytime and this drug dragon creates crime and kills . It knows no boundaries . Know the drugs that are out there , what they look like , what someone looks like when they are high or using . Know who your kids are hanging out with and what they are doing . Knowledge is always power . Power in numbers makes a difference . I recommend the FBI ’ s video “ Chasing the Dragon ” for any parent and adolescent to watch . I am working on more from education and solutions on my end for the Community . Thank you .
http :// www . alleghenycountyanalytics . us /…/ opiate-related-ov …/ http :// www . overdosefreepa . pitt . edu / charts /#
Ms . Stephanie Fox Member , Brentwood Borough Council
“ For a community to be whole and healthy , it must be based on people ' s love and concern for each other ” rentwood
CITY BRIEFLY OF MCKEESPORT BRENTWOOD NEWS
cKeesport
Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 53