I know its late...

[heavenleighlei]

but is there anyone out there that can answer some questions for a very confused civilian?

[Citicop]

There are some of us.

Ask away, and maybe introduce yourself in the New Members Intro area...

-Citicop.

[heavenleighlei]

ok well not sure Im in the right area but here goes. I recently went to my local police dept telling them that I knew there was a crack house in the area and that people were actively using at the residence as I was speaking. I gave them vehicles, I also gave them a name or two of ppl that were there. I called anon of course. The response i got was that they just couldnt go busting in the place (Didnt expect that of them...perhaps just a knock on the door and maybe "investigate" my claim"?) Anyways...nothing was done and this type of stuff continues almost every weekend. What more can I tell them or information can I provide for them to do something? I live in a very small town and it almost seems the police are afraid to do anything above and beyond issuing traffic tickets etc.

[Citicop]

Here's how the "investigation" would go your way.

*Police knock on the door; bad guy answers.*

"Hello, sir. I'm officer Citicop with the RealPolice Department. We received a complaint of you selling drugs out of this residence. May I come in and search your house for evidence of drugs?"

*Door slams in face; investigation ends*

The fact is: Drug investigations can take a while. The police need someone who can go in and BUY drugs as an undercover informant or to stop cars coming from the house with drugs. They either need to get someone to admit to them that they bought drugs from the house, or stop enough cars with drugs that they can establish a pattern with the District Attorney.

It is not that they aren't doing anything; it's much more likely that it just takes some time.

If you are concerned about the size of your local department, then call your county sheriff's department. it is likely that they have a drug task force. They may be more experienced with these types of investigations.

Out of curiosity, what specific information do you have that they are selling crack cocaine there other than traffic coming in and out of the house?

-Citicop.

[heavenleighlei]

Ive been inside the house when a loved one has been using. I dont know who delivers the drugs..thats kept secret from me. Im simply isick of being the one to watch what he goes thru when hes coming down from the drug. I know it sounds cruel but I guess Im not opposed to him getting caught if it means hell get some help

[Creeker]

That is called "Tough Love", which is apparently no longer politically correct, but is a good way to handle it.

[pac201]

If you personally go to the police department and tell them what you have expressed here, it would go a long way toward them being able to do something.

As it is you have given anonymous information; at best, that type info is questionable. If you go in person you add credence to the information. You were there, you saw the drug being used etc.

Good luck, don't give up.

[mobrien316]

To throw in my two cents, I am in charge of the detective bureau at my department. We are a small department and have limited resources. When I get an anonymous call from someone saying there is drug activity at a certain house I am somewhat limited in what I can do. Generally, I will check out the people who own the house (though they may not live there at the moment) and check with the narcotics guys in the much larger city nearby to see if they have heard anything about the house or the people who live there. If I strike out there I will probably (though not always) spend some time watching the house when I can to see if I see anything to indicate it is being used as described. Sometimes I can devote fifteen minutes a week to watching a suspect house, sometimes an hour, neither of which is sufficient time to conduct any sort of proper investigation.

Unless the narcotics unit in the next city has info on that house it is unlikely my department will be able to take the investigation very far. We don't have a narcotics unit and as has been said already, drug investigations take up a lot of time. Spending a few minutes here and there watching a "suspected drug house" is really only a nominal investigation at best, but it is the most we can do while still investigating every other case we have on our plate.

[mcsap]

What would happen if you were there and the police raided the place ?