Downtown, northside residents fight drugs

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

Claudette Perales, president of the Northside Neighborhood Association, discusses with northside residents Thursday night contacting the police if suspicious activity is seen. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

GALLUP — Claudette Perales, the president of the northside neighborhood association, keeps forms in her office and car to report drug activity.

She’s so passionate about the effort that she distributes the paperwork to anyone interested in reporting suspicious drug-related activity to local authorities.

Perales and a handful other northside residents have teamed up to combat the escalating drug problem in the area.

During the association’s monthly meeting, Bill Bright, the president of the downtown neighborhood association, said much of the drug activity occurs in houses without electricity and other essential utilities.

“People are camping out in these houses,” Bright said.

Most attendees were hesitant to identify the suspected drug houses because of pending investigation, but said many are in the northside and downtown areas. Many residents witness heavy foot traffic to the suspected drug houses.

Perales also shared a concern about suspicious vehicles that are parked outside the nearby St. Francis School during the students’ recess period.

One attendee, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, said he has approached local authorities about the impending drug problem without any success.

He’s allegedly been told the local police lack adequate manpower to investigate all complaints.

According to the police spokeswoman Erin Toadlena-Pablo, the city police department is short about 14 officers.

Perales said neighbors must be patient with the process and law enforcement.

“The police are really bombarded with calls for drugs,” she said. “ ... It’s not going to happen over night ... Let’s take back our neighborhood and city from drugs.”

City Councilman Bill Nechero also attended the meeting, but said there was little he could publicly speak of about the drug problem because of pending investigation. He did say the matter is being looked into.

The association is tentatively planning a get-together in October at Golden Age Park and is always recruiting new members.

Next month’s neighborhood association meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center.

Friday
August 24, 2007
Selected Stories:

Downtown, northside residents fight drugs

Exhibit highlights legacy of Diné traders in Indian Country; Researchers’ unusual find initiates unforeseen 20-year project

Thoreau man charged with assault

Taking the final path; Hundreds line Rehoboth roadway in honor of fallen soldier

Deaths

| Home | Daily News | Archive | Subscribe |