New Police Chief Warns of New Drug Threats
Crime Watch President Dean Hutchison and Secretary Peg Boguslawski discuss upcoming Manor Township Crime Watch events.
by Jonathan Weaver
In addition to heroin and Fentanyl, Ford City Police Chief John Freel said new drug dangers are entering the region.
While not a problem like in Mid-West states, Chief Freel said crack cocaine and methamphetamine is creeping into the area.
“What I’m finding in my personal experience, a lot of people into heroin are smoking crack and smoking meth,” Chief Freel said. “A few years ago, there were a few rumblings about people getting arrested with crack cocaine here-and-there (but) now you’re seeing more and more of it in the area.
“It’s a scary thing. There’s nothing good about any of those narcotics.”
He said those drugs are also scary for police officers locally and in State Police barracks due to the different effects –from the relaxing opioid heroin compared to the energizing amphetamine crack cocaine that makes users feel “delirious excitement.”
And, most of the time, repeating drug users won’t even get a full dosage from dealers who add an additive to the drugs to “hook” buyers.
“And, then when they come back, it will be half the dosage for the same price,” Chief Freel said. “They’re making more money and using less product.”
Chief Freel – also an ARMNET officer, who has arrested users chewing Fentanyl patches – said other agents have narrowed down ideas of where the illegal drugs are coming from.
Police units from six teams across Armstrong and Clarion Counties found about 200 bricks of heroin and more than 10,000 stamp bags during raids last December – arresting many residents from Ford City, Kittanning and Manor Township.
“A lot of the area is a ‘high-crime’ area – Ford City, Kittanning, even Manor Township,” Chief Freel said. “Criminals are like water – they find the path of least resistance.”
Manor Township Crime Watch Secretary Peg Boguslawski said residents need to be vigilant as well to keep drugs off the streets.
“We have to look out for each other, not because the police officers aren’t any good, (but because) they’re as good as we can help and make them. They can’t be everywhere,” Boguslawski said.
Chief Freel said local residents can anonymously call 9-1-1 with any information about suspected activity, approach police officers personally or even contact the Ford City department through private messages via social media. He appreciated the community’s involvement.
“Sheriff Bill Rupert’s slogan is probably the best – ‘If you see something, say something.’ It doesn’t matter how minor,” Chief Freel said.
Crime Watch President Dean Hutchison praised Chief Freel for his recent reports and community involvement.
Local News | jweaver December 16, 2015
