32 Arrested During Drug Sweep in Wilkes-Barre (Scranton: foreclosures, crime rates, buying)

[Beaconowner]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

I know the origins of the drug war. And I know that this "drug war" isn't really working at all. It doesn't make sense to me because it isn't working. On the other hand, I don't advocate recreational drug use.

What do you advocate then?

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

I've got mixed feelings about this. On one hand, if you do the crime, you do the time. I am in favor of that. I have no respect for drug dealers. On the other hand, this whole war on drugs have gotten us nowhere. It is interesting. Portugal legalized heroin a few years back. Within 5 years, HIV infection rates dropped, as did addiction rates. Prison time is replaced with therapy. Portugal now has fewer issues with drugs than the USA. It makes me wonder if the drug war is working. If you're out causing violence in the streets in the process of selling drugs, then yes, I say lock you up. You do the crime, you do the time. I wouldn't use drugs either. Still, I look at it this way. Drugs are a horrible path to get on. On the other hand, I'm learning more and more than prison time isn't going to stop anyone from using drugs or selling them. Drugs have been known to get into the prisons, one of the most secure places in our society. If they can get there, then your own community, no matter how safe it is, or out of the way it is, drugs can end up there too.

Actually to be correct, drug use in Portugal has been decriminalized, not made legal. People still can't freely use drugs in Portugal. The difference is that when they are caught they receive treatment rather than a prison sentence, as you stated. This would never work out in the US for many reasons.


Thirty-two people is a drop in the bucket. It's like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. The drug problem in PA cities is far more complex than picking up a few drug dealers in a sweep; there will be others coming along to take their place any second now, and it solves very little.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by Beaconowner

Our police, don't you love them, it takes them 5 months of "INVESTIGATING" to nab 22 or 32 sellers and users. This is good police work?

They caught street people and some low level sellers, whoopie! I guess the drug problem in Wilkes_barre is over.

Is this really an effective use of 5 months of police resources, or is this just some more window dressing by the police, so they can look like they are doing something, and qualify for more federal grants?

If after 5 months all they can do is arrest people that are in plain view I don't know who is dumber, the police or the people dealing at the street level.

Interesting points.

Which cities, anywhere in the nation, have successfully stemmed drug traffic and successfully turned the tide against dealers/users?

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by Beaconowner

Our police, don't you love them, it takes them 5 months of "INVESTIGATING" to nab 22 or 32 sellers and users. This is good police work?

They caught street people and some low level sellers, whoopie! I guess the drug problem in Wilkes_barre is over.

Is this really an effective use of 5 months of police resources, or is this just some more window dressing by the police, so they can look like they are doing something, and qualify for more federal grants?

If after 5 months all they can do is arrest people that are in plain view I don't know who is dumber, the police or the people dealing at the street level.

I had this discussion with someone. We both agreed that the only way the police catch these criminals is if they fall into their laps. This case is a prime example of this.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by quiet life

I had this discussion with someone. We both agreed that the only way the police catch these criminals is if they fall into their laps. This case is a prime example of this.

Ok. So what do we do?

There are either not enough cops/detectives in the city to handle the overload of crime OR we have enough but they don't do their jobs. Which is it and how do we fix it?

If we don't have enough cops/detectives, are enough Wilkes-Barre residents going to support hiring more? If we have enough personnel who don't perform their jobs, how do we oust them and hire ones that will?

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Ok. So what do we do?

There are either not enough cops/detectives in the city to handle the overload of crime OR we have enough but they don't do their jobs. Which is it and how do we fix it?

If we don't have enough cops/detectives, are enough Wilkes-Barre residents going to support hiring more? If we have enough personnel who don't perform their jobs, how do we oust them and hire ones that will?

That is the million dollar question that I don't have a clue State and local gov'ts have been cutting police and fire depts for the past 2 decades. I actually don't understand this line item on the budget. We need firemen, police and teachers. That's the foundation for an orderly society. Anyway, the police are overworked and underpaid, IMHO. Not enough resources. Financially or otherwise. As far as, WB or the Poconos(where I live), these criminal enterprises will thrive since they know that the police resources are scarce.

[Magritte25]

Originally Posted by quiet life

That is the million dollar question that I don't have a clue State and local gov'ts have been cutting police and fire depts for the past 2 decades. I actually don't understand this line item on the budget. We need firemen, police and teachers. That's the foundation for an orderly society. Anyway, the police are overworked and underpaid, IMHO. Not enough resources. Financially or otherwise. As far as, WB or the Poconos(where I live), these criminal enterprises will thrive since they know that the police resources are scarce.

Perhaps one answer is for the general public not to ***** and moan every time hiring/raises for public servants comes up on the meeting agenda. I am so sick of hearing people complain about "my taxes" (always said in a bombastic, self righteous tone of indignation) being used to fund services like police and fire as well as public education and other parts of infrastructure.

(BTW, this is not towards you quiet life, just a general observation)

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Perhaps one answer is for the general public not to ***** and moan every time hiring/raises for public servants comes up on the meeting agenda. I am so sick of hearing people complain about "my taxes" (always said in a bombastic, self righteous tone of indignation) being used to fund services like police and fire as well as public education and other parts of infrastructure.

(BTW, this is not towards you quiet life, just a general observation)

No offense taken and I couldn't agree with you more. In a perfect world....

[auntieannie68]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Perhaps one answer is for the general public not to ***** and moan every time hiring/raises for public servants comes up on the meeting agenda. I am so sick of hearing people complain about "my taxes" (always said in a bombastic, self righteous tone of indignation) being used to fund services like police and fire as well as public education and other parts of infrastructure.

(BTW, this is not towards you quiet life, just a general observation)

--we agree again!

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Ok. So what do we do?

There are either not enough cops/detectives in the city to handle the overload of crime OR we have enough but they don't do their jobs. Which is it and how do we fix it?

If you legalize the drugs the crime involved with it evaporates. Many of drug dealers would probably move onto other criminal enterprises but the users and drug dealers doing it to support a habit no longer have a reason for criminal activity.


As far as your tax comments Margritte lets consider Scranton a city that can't afford to pay the fire and police what they are making now even with a tax hike. How about WB police getting an extra $1400 each year is it? To not write parking tickets and the FF union suing the city for the same compensation. People are fed up with that crap Margritte.