Crime In Berkeley County (W.Va.) (Martinsburg, Charles Town: crime rates, hotel, homes)
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Anybody concerned about rising crime in Berkeley County (W.Va.)? This past week, the Subway restaurant in the Old Courthouse Square shopping center had an armed robbery as well as the Hampton Inn in Inwood. There was also a home invasion in Martinsburg over the weekend. Seems like armed robberies and home invasions occur quite frequently in the county. Couple of major drug busts occurred a few weeks ago as well. Plus, Berkeley County leads the state in heroin-related overdose deaths. Wasn't that way 10 years ago.
I've noticed the crime increase as well. Even Charles Town had a murder or two the other night. Seems every night or two something is robbed in Martinsburg. I'm sure it will settle down again soon.
I-81 is the busiest highway in our state for a reason. Being DC/Baltimore suburbs, it results in great growth there. Along with that growth tags along the garbage that seeks to exploit it. It is bedroom community type of growth seeking to avoid the crime in the central, more populated parts of the area. As the more affluent, productive part moves out, the more sinister exploitive elements will follow.
There was a shooting at the Martinsburg MARC train station Sunday night. The local news said the victim was just sitting in the train station minding his own business when someone walked up and shot at him three times through the window. The victim was hit once. I get your point about the interstates (I-70 and I-81) which brings direct access to our communities from Baltimore and Washington D.C. Nevertheless, crime seems higher in Martinsburg than other comparable sized cities. I remember reading an article in the Journal-News last year that talked about a rapid increase in violent crime in Berkeley County over the past few years. The Journal-News also had a recent series of stories talking about the heroin epidemic in the Eastern Panhandle. I think the rising crime rates are directly tied to the high rate of illicit drug use in our county as well as a overall lack of police resources. I hardly ever see police cars patrolling our streets. There was an article in the local news recently about state troopers leaving Berkeley County due to the higher cost of living here.
Just read there was an armed robbery at Comfort Inn in Martinsburg, W.Va. last night....the fourth armed robbery this week (three businesses and one residence). This hotel is about 1/4 mile from the state police barracks. Being so close to a police station, how could anyone get away? Probably no police on duty.
My daughter and her family live in Martinsburg, and she says the same thing. The once conservative, bucolic and historical city's character has totally changed in the past 25 years. This growth will only continue inabated. This does have positive aspects, but in Martinsburg's case enough is enough.
I-81 is the busiest highway in our state for a reason. Being DC/Baltimore suburbs, it results in great growth there. Along with that growth tags along the garbage that seeks to exploit it. It is bedroom community type of growth seeking to avoid the crime in the central, more populated parts of the area. As the more affluent, productive part moves out, the more sinister exploitive elements will follow.
Very good points! Frederick, Hagerstown, Chambersburg, Cumberland, and Winchester all seem to have spikes in crime recently. The criminal element has moved west.
Martinsburg, it seems, is an area where people move if they cannot afford the closer D.C. suburbs. That has been a great vehicle for growth, Martinsburg attracts a lot of middle class and high class residents as well, but the area seems to have a lot of homes built specifically for lower income residents. Proper planning could probably help keep crime down, but West Virginia is notorious for its lack of developmental planning.
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