Drug Related Crimes Run Rampant In The United States

Drug related crimes run rampant in the United States and have not missed the very little corner of the world in which I live. In the past the crimes have always happened somewhere else to someone else. This all changed dramatically when I became property manager in a small, old apartment building in a nearby town.

The owner of the building had been a uninvolved landlord and had rented the apartments to anyone who showed up with cash. Both the apartments and the tenants were in poor shape. I had been hired to collect rent and not much more. Very quickly I learned that there were drug dealings going on along with a bit of very sleazy prostitution. I knew from the news and crime dramas that innocent people often are victims of these types of crimes and I was not about to be counted as such. Thus, my first call to the police.

The police were well aware of the illegal activity in the building but were never able to catch anyone in the act. I was asked to become their eyes and ears, in other words, a confidential informant. We had long discussions about my safety and my never having to be seen in contact with the police. There is a county-wide anti-drug force and the local police would use their resources to act on any information I had.

I agreed. My first task was to inform the owner that I wanted to rid the building of drug sales and have tenants that were without felony records. He agreed that he would stand with me. I gave notice to all tenants that as the new property manager I would not tolerate any late rent payments or illegal activities. That notice prompted the tenants to start "snitching" on each other. I would listen and forward the info to my police contact. The police have all types of legal tactics to approach suspects. In one instance I called in to tell of a domestic disturbance only a day after I had reported that one tenant was harboring a fugitive. They took the opportunity after investigating the disturbance to do a "knock and talk" with the other residents. The police always ask for i.d. and were able to catch the fugitive when they did a check of people in one apartment.

In all, I have helped in the arrest of three people selling drugs, one prostitute and a fugitive. I have also been able to evict the other tenants because of late payments. We now only have tenants without felony records and with good paying jobs. The apartments have been upgraded and the rent is on time. It is also safe.

I cannot tell anyone around me what I have done because there always can be some sort of revenge. I did not have to sneak around or listen through a glass against a wall. That type of work would not suit me at all. My crime-fighting days are over.

By Jeanne