WARREN Neighborhood targeted for cleanup of crime

A group of citizens wants to put a stop to drug trade and prostitution on the northeast side of town.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- An Atlantic Street N.E. resident says he's stood by for too long while drug dealers and prostitutes have operated in his 2nd Ward neighborhood.
Richard Schultz and other neighbors met Monday with city officials and council members to tour the area and discuss ways to clean it up.
"There's an amazing amount of crime in that neighborhood," Councilman Bob Marchese, D-at large, said this morning.
Here's the problem: He noted that residents have complained that open drug trade, prostitution and thefts have become commonplace in a neighborhood filled with rental properties.
Old homes converted into multifamily dwellings make up a good portion of the area, near Atlantic Street and between Elm Road and Genesee Avenue N.E., Marchese said.
The problem with that, he noted, is that many landlords live out of town and do not enforce city housing codes or maintain their properties.
About 20 residents joined Marchese, Councilman Alford Novak, D-2nd, Police Chief John Mandopoulos and safety-service Director Fred Harris on the walking tour prompted by a citizen's complaint.
Schultz pleaded last week with lawmakers and other city officials to do something about the problem.
Budget woes: The fact that city safety services were cut in 2000 to avoid a budget shortfall means some citizens' complaints are going unheard.
Voters will decide in May a proposed 0.5 percent income tax increase to boost the police and fire departments.
Schultz said he moved to the area from Lorain 12 years ago and has noticed an increase in drug trafficking, loud fights and prostitution.
His apartment has been broken into twice, Schultz said, adding "I'm not leaving the neighborhood; they are."
Another meeting of lawmakers and citizens will be called in a month or so to gauge progress and discuss other options for cleaning up the neighborhood, Marchese said, noting some residents have talked of forming a block watch.
"There's so many good people in this neighborhood and this is all so unfair to them," Marchese said.