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07/15/2008 11:05 AM

 

Ellwood City Council Meeting July 15, 2008 ECO Staff -- Laure Cioffi, senior journalist ELLWOOD CITY -- Fred Smith is tired of drug dealers coming to his street. "People on the 1100 block are getting disgusted. I know three people who have their homes up for sale and they are getting disgusted," said Smith, who lives on Center Avenue in Ellwood City's west end, at Monday's agenda setting meeting of Ellwood City Borough Council. Smith's neighbor Daniel Honnifer told council members he and his 11-year-old son witnessed a drug deal next to his home. "There was this blue car parked in front of our house. When we got outside there was this guy with a big wad of money and another guy shoving a baggy into his pocket," Honnifer said. Ellwood City Police Chief of Operations Richard McDonald urges residents to call police when they suspect drug activity. "Even if we don't have enough information for a drug arrest, we could have identified the person," McDonald said. The police chief of operations notes that residents should not take matters into their own hands when they suspect drug activity, but call the police and try to get car license plate numbers and descriptions of those involved. McDonald said since coming to the police force his department has focused on areas where residents have alerted them to drug activity. He noted that the 400 block of Loop Street is nearly devoid of drug activity. "Our resources are limited. We can't do this without the residents. We need to be constantly updated," he said. McDonald said the number of police tip sheets, which are available at the police station, area businesses, and on EllwoodCity.org's police report link, have gone down recently, but police have found it a valuable tool in identifying problems in the community. Councilman John Todorich suggested that residents look into community crime watch programs. "I agree you need more eyes and ears out there," he said. In other business, council members are considering a new ordinance limiting hours people can be at city playgrounds to curb similar problems. Former councilman Glenn Jones told council members Monday night that there are constant problems at Circle Playground where people hang out until midnight or later. "Every morning [parks director] Joe Cioffi and his crew have to go there and they are picking up beer cans, condoms and drug paraphernalia," Jones said. "We're getting tired of it. There's not much the police can do unless an ordinance is passed," he added. Councilman George Celli said the problem has already come to the attention of council members and they intend to vote next Monday on an ordinance restricting visitors to the playgrounds after dusk. Council members also discussed posting signs once the ordinance becomes law so it will be easier to enforce. Council members will also be considering the following items at Monday's regular council meeting: * A request to close Lawrence Avenue and Third Street for the annual Holy Redeemer Parish Bazaar in early August. * A proposal to buy new furniture for the council meeting room and moving the regular meetings to the second floor of the borough building. * Advertise for bids to raze 1010 Crescent Ave. and 1011 Center Ave.