Campbell residents refuse to let druggies scare them

Last week's indictment of 15 alleged members of a gang involved in drug dealing in a housing project in Campbell is a testament to the ability of citizens to effect change in their neighborhoods -- if they're willing to stand up for the right to live without fear.
Too often, residents, especially seniors, are made virtual prisoners in their homes because criminals control the streets. Fear of retaliation causes many to keep their mouths shut.
But as the crackdown on the so-called Eric Van Cobb drug trafficking organization, which operated in the Michael J. Kirwan housing project shows, good things happen when citizens say "enough."
"The investigation was initiated as a result of public outcry about drug trafficking and the resulting violence from both residents of Kirwan Homes and the surrounding community," said Gregory A. White, U.S. attorney for the northern district of Ohio. "I want to commend the [residents] who came forward with information ... We're encouraging others to do the same."
Over an 18-month period, members of the FBI-Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force gang unit, Youngstown and Campbell police, Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force and Ohio Adult Parole Authority worked the project, concentrating on six points of distribution for crack cocaine. Gang members sold to residents in the project and customers from the greater Youngstown area.
An undercover officer from the Akron Police Department, a member of the gang task force, and several sources bought crack from the Van Cobb organization. White said about 2.2 pounds of crack were sold each month.
Dangerous work
The unsealing of the 30-count indictment last Thursday in Cleveland federal court was the culmination of months of hard, dangerous work on the part of dedicated law enforcement officers committed to hunting down predators who have a stranglehold on particular communities.
Fourteen men and one woman were charged generally and individually. The first count charges all the accused with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Counts two through 30 charge the individuals with distribution of crack.
Edward F. Feran, an assistant U.S. attorney based in Cleveland, the lead prosecutor on the case, said the gang was led by Eric Van Cobb Sr. His brother, Earl Van Cobb, served as the "cooker" who processed the crack from powdered cocaine.
Just how significant is this case? Consider that almost half the accused have past violent crime convictions, many involving firearms. The remainder have multiple arrests for violence or drugs.
There are at least 23 felony convictions among the gang members.
Given that most of the homicides in the Mahoning Valley are drug-related, we urge federal prosecutors to aggressively seek the maximum prison sentences. Leniency should be shown only if a gang member provides information that leads to similar crackdowns in other communities in the Valley.
The residents of the Michael J. Kirwan housing project who stood up and said "enough" must not now live in fear that gang members will avoid prison and return to the project.
Campbell Police Chief Gus Sarigianopoulos, whose department worked closely with the FBI to attack the city's drug problem, praised the federal agency for its efforts and hard work. We would urge the chief to remain vigilant and provide the Kirwan homes with the protection and safety residents deserve.