Drug dealing is a major problem in many neighborhoods. Although parking lots and abandoned houses are the best places for this type of business, they are not always the only ones. Some people sell drugs right in front of their homes, even in the dead-end streets of residential neighborhoods. It is entirely understandable that you want to rid your area of this threat and there are things you can do with the help of the community. However, you should avoid confronting these individuals openly, much less trying to do justice to yourself. Move as a group and remember that the more people you can engage, the safer you will be.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Identify the Drug Dealer in the Neighborhood
Step 1. Talk to local neighbors and homeowners
If the whole community works, it is easier to identify, stop and prevent this kind of illegal activity. Neighbors may have noticed something you didn't see and vice versa.
Step 2. Look for suspicious activity
If you assume there is drug trafficking in your neighborhood, look for signs of drug trafficking. If you notice strangers at odd times, bricked-up windows, or abnormal smells, then there may be some drug-related activity.
- Excessive coming and going of people walking from a specific house and some people who are outdoors for no apparent purpose could be indicative signs.
- Another suspicious behavior is the presence of many cars that stop in one place for a few minutes and then leave.
- Pay attention if you notice the presence of graffiti artists or youth gangs, even if these are not always related to the dealing.
Step 3. Make a note of any drug related items
People, surprisingly, don't bother to hide the items needed to consume drugs, such as hypodermic needles or pipes, even in the presence of a police patrol. If you notice these materials, report it to the authorities.
If you see these objects, do not pick them up and do not search for other material. Write down where you found them, what they are, the time you came across them and the date. Report all this information to the police
Step 4. Try to record as much detail as possible
Remember to always stay safe, but collect as much detail as you can about the activity you observe, so as to help the police implement the right countermeasures. If the dealer lives nearby, you can check the business even from your home, without exposing yourself to danger.
- If you see suspicious activity, write down the license plate numbers, the model and color of the cars and the approximate time of the visits.
- If you are worried about a particular individual, give a detailed description of the subject by entering the height, build, hair color and any other characteristics that may help in identification. Remember to also write down the circumstances that triggered your suspicion.
- If you think it could be dangerous, be very careful. Do not openly collect information, do not take photographs, and do not do anything that could provoke the hostile drug dealer. Remember that you are moving into your neighborhood and the offenders can know who you are and where you live.
Step 5. Contact the police
You can also make an anonymous report if it makes you feel safer. Provide the agents with all the details you have about the situation you have observed: where you think there is drug dealing, the appearance of the criminals, what time the customers show up, how many cars you have seen and so on.
- Call from a safe place. Don't call from a place where drug dealers can hear or see you. Don't tell a suspected drug dealer you'll call the police.
- Call the agents and let them handle the situation. Do not try to stop this criminal activity on your own, you could endanger yourself and others. You may also interfere in cases related to these activities.
Method 2 of 3: Reduce the Shopping Activity in the Neighborhood
Step 1. Organize a neighborhood security service
These groups are usually very effective in driving drug dealers out of the neighborhood, and are useful in reducing crime by creating an unfavorable environment for activities such as drug dealing. However, be sure to cooperate with the police so that security guards are trained and informed.
- Put up signs and advertise the presence of this service. Knowing that an area is under surveillance convinces drug dealers to leave and move to an area that is not patrolled.
- Never try to arrest a criminal on your own. You would only create a dangerous (even fatal) situation for you and other people.
Step 2. Form a neighborhood patrol
When the whole community works together, you get better results than the single individual. Neighborhood patrols are useful for getting rid of drug dealers in the area.
- Join the neighbors and get organized to positively "garrison" the streets, clean and sweep them, collect the garbage and organize group activities in the area where the drug dealer operates. The constant presence of people will discourage his work.
- Attend neighborhood meetings. In some large cities, training courses, police meetings and other events are organized where you can learn a lot about useful techniques to keep the area where you live safe.
Step 3. Meet with neighbors in safe areas to discuss the problem
If the neighborhood is rather dangerous then it is safer not to organize patrols and surveillance services. Instead, meet your neighbors in a public place, such as a church, day center, or shop. Even meeting in an area a few blocks away can keep people safe.
Absolutely avoid organizing these meetings at a neighbor's home, as they could provide drug dealers with a target on which to take revenge
Step 4. Ask for improvements to be made to the neighborhood
Abandoned areas are the ideal territory for the development of drug dealing. Contact the local authorities and ask that the deserted area be turned into a playground or a parking lot - your community could also enjoy a beautiful leisure area. If you eliminate potential drug dealing environments, then you will encourage offenders to leave.
Step 5. Contact the owner
If you are renting and the condominium has become a drug dealing area, then contact the owner or someone for him and ask them to intervene.
If you do not know who the manager responsible for the condominium is, call the technical office of the Municipality: it will give you all the information regarding the owner or administrator
Step 6. Contact the City Council to resolve the infrastructure problems
Broken street lamps, abandoned cars and run-down fences are all circumstances that facilitate the proliferation of drug sales. Used so that street lamps are repaired and abandoned vehicles are removed; these are small actions that have a big impact.
Step 7. Find safe programs or projects to eliminate drug dealers
Local authorities often organize projects together with ordinary citizens to eradicate the problem of drug dealing in a specific neighborhood or area. Learn about these activities so that the whole neighborhood feels safe.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing the Dealing in the Neighborhood
Step 1. Promote a sense of belonging to the community
Drug dealers look for places where neighbors don't talk to each other and where everyone tends to live in isolation. This way they have the ability to intimidate people who notice them. A strong, active and positive community is always the best deterrent against these offenders.
Organize outdoor activities such as barbecues with neighbors, parties or other events in which people who live nearby participate, so you strengthen the sense of belonging
Step 2. Work with small shopkeepers, area offices and churches
Maybe they could help you clean up and refurbish old parking lots and dilapidated shop windows. These activities can also involve former drug addicts who could otherwise fall back into the drug tunnel.
Step 3. Organize a neighborhood youth center
Sometimes people fall into drugs because they don't have better alternatives. A youth center could be a good solution, thanks to the activities and opportunities organized for young people.
Work with local churches, shops, social services and the police for help and instructions. Young people can be very effective drug educators for their peers
Step 4. Organize meetings to educate the kids to avoid drugs
Schools, parishes and the police themselves often have resources to help prevent drug use by educating people and making them aware of the risks associated with these activities. There may be courses available for citizens so they know how to deal with illegal drug dealing activities.
Advice
- Young people need alternatives to drugs, so work with your community to provide them with good opportunities.
- Remember that graffiti, unfamiliar behavior, and even the presence of youth gangs do not necessarily mean drug dealing is taking place in your area. Stay alert but don't jump to conclusions hastily.
Warnings
- Always let the police deal with potential drug dealers. Trying to arrest a suspect on your own could get you in serious trouble and you could even get killed.
- Use common sense when dealing with a drug dealing business. Don't threaten drug dealers outright and don't do anything that could put you in danger. Do not provoke any retaliation.
