Wedgewood block watch succeeds in reducing crime

Wedgewood block watchsucceeds in reducing crime
EDITOR:
A large concern of the Wedgewood area in Austintown was a suspected drug house that drew a lot of undesirable elements into a quiet and serene neighborhood.
The good news is it was boarded up. Thanks to the watchful eyes and ears of those involved in the Wedgewood Area Block Watch program. Showing concern and constantly watching and reporting strangers in the area was all that was necessary. Unfortunately, even criminals have rights. The owner has gone through rehab, and as of this date will be eligible to move back in around December, or before. Our police and prosecutors are still trying to prevent this.
The house was left to him through a will and was not purchased with drug money, so it cannot be confiscated. Also, recently we have had car break-ins in the Edinburgh Drive area, and a yard theft where some very personal items were stolen.
We want to thank the Austintown Police Department and especially the Drug Task Force, which though underfunded and pitifully understaffed, kept constant pressure and spent countless hours doing paper work, making frustrating court appearances, doing surveillances, and making numerous arrests.
We of the Wedgewood Area Block Watch wish to publicly thank these outstanding officers for a diligent effort and applaud them for a job well done!
Block watches are successful and do make a difference. Joining and becoming involved in a block watch can make a huge difference in your neighborhood. If it's one thing a criminal hates, it's being watched. Just putting a Block Watch sign up can deter that criminal from coming into your neighborhood.
But the thing about a criminal is that he is always learning. He doesn't want to work. He wants you to work, so he can steal your things and bring harm to you, your family and neighbors.
It's a wonderful thing to improve our parks so our children do have a fun and safe place to play, unfortunately we can't send our young ones there alone, they need to be safeguarded. And this means looking out for anything out of the ordinary or that could cause them harm. That's what the Block Watch meetings can teach us. Those of us who have attended previous meetings have learned so much about many different types of crime and how to prevent them. We need to be aware of what goes on around us, at the mall, in the car and at home.
Maybe it's your elderly neighbor or maybe the single mom next door. Some one is counting on your eyes and ears. Do you know what to look for. You may be surprised by the answer; I was.
The world is not getting any safer and so many of are counting on YOU. So please, for the sake of all who need you come and join us in the next block watch meeting. It is for all of Austintown. Let's show the rest of the Valley that Austintown cares about its community and neighborhoods.
GARY MAUERMAN
Austintown
Lose the pit bull; get a cat
EDITOR:
This is in response to the Aug. 9 story about two pit bulls that killed a family pet in Youngstown.
If I wanted to keep some pet rattlesnakes at my home would that be legal? Or perhaps a mountain lion or a black bear? My guess is that my neighbors and the local authorities would be very concerned about the safety of myself and all other people and pets around me.
But yet with some simple insurance I could have a dog that is capable of tearing you limb from limb.
My point is dangerous animals are just that; whether it's a poisonous snake or a pit bull, there's no difference.
Insurance won't bring back that family's pet and it won't bring back someone's child if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Do everyone a favor, get yourself a nice safe mixed breed or a cat.
NICK GALANSES
Boardman