Pubdate: Wed, 24 Apr 2002
Source: Daily Record, The (NC)
Copyright: 2002 East Tennessee Network - R.A.I.D. (Regionalized Access Internet
Contact:  http://www.dunndailyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1762
Author: Gregory C. Phillips

RIVERSIDE RESIDENTS SAY THEY ARE IN 'WAR ZONE'

Riverside lies a few miles outside Erwin, on one of only two routes that 
sheriff's deputies can take to get from Lillington to the eastern part of 
Harnett County.

It can hardly be considered remote. But residents say they feel local law 
enforcement is failing the community by not solving Riverside's drug problem.

Vivian Smith is president of the Riverside Community Association that is 
attempting to rid the area of its chemical problems and conceded that: 
"Drugs are a bad habit in our community."

Community Building

At their monthly meetings, the association has been discussing ways to 
raise the necessary funds to erect a community building on Bunnlevel-Erwin 
Road. Mrs. Smith says she hopes activities could be provided in such a 
building that will provide an attractive alternative to drugs for the young 
people of Riverside who have "nothing to do."

The association has applied for a federal grant to help in their endeavor, 
and hope to have the building's foundation laid by the year's end. When 
completed, Mrs. Smith says she hopes to organize "workshops to help people 
who want to get off drugs."

Mrs. Smith said she knows she faces un uphill struggle: "Drugs are hard to 
stop. So many people are involved .... because they can make fast money." 
She says that it "would help if patrolmen would patrol the area more often."

However, for Mrs. Smith appeals to earthly authorities will be insufficient 
to solve the problem alone. She suggests a "prayer day at the Cape Fear 
Conference 'A' Headquarters to pray for God to remove drugs from our 
community."  Riverside falls under the jurisdiction of the Harnett County 
Sheriff's Office.   Maj. Steve West says that the area is as regularly 
patrolled as any in the county. He adds that officers have "made some 
arrests" recently, but urges residents to lodge complaints with the 
sheriff's office if they are having problems.

'War Zone'

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from 
area drug dealers, says that it is "degrading and shameful that they have 
to live in fear of these drug thugs." He highlights a house on Roosevelt 
Road as the focus of the narcotics problem and compares life on that street 
to "being in a war zone."

He expressed the belief that the crystal meth that was being manufactured 
in Erwin prior to last week's bust was bound for Riverside. He said that 
the sheriff's office is "fully aware of these activities," and plans a 
class action lawsuit against the sheriff's department for "failing to 
properly protect us."

Maj. West admitted "a lot of people call" to complain about specific 
addresses in Riverside, but said aside from regular patrols, officers would 
have to be present for a drug buy to make any arrests.

When asked if he felt the county was neglecting Riverside, one resident 
said, "ignoring is the proper term for it."

County Manager Neil Emory refuted that claim and listed the various 
projects the county has undertaken to help the community. He emphasized how 
the millions of dollars to be invested in the new Overhills High School 
will benefit the children of Riverside who will attend.

He also pointed out that despite the low population density in the area, 
the county recently undertook a capital water project there. The paramedic 
coverage of Riverside has also been improved in the last two years.

County Manager Sympathetic

Mr. Emory said he was sympathetic to the concerns of Riverside citizens, 
and noted that "when you have a problem, it's easy to feel like you're in 
it all alone." He encouraged those concerned to call the county manager's 
office, that he is always "happy to come in" and discuss problems. He 
promised to ensure that any complaints he receives regarding criminal 
activity in Riverside are directed to the sheriff's office.

Unfortunately, criminal activity is where the thrust of the problem lies 
for a township of which one resident said: "It is in concrete now that 
these thugs control the community instead of Sheriff Knott and his crew."

The reluctance of almost all Riverside residents interviewed for this 
report to give their names suggests they have little confidence that local 
authorities can or will solve the problem in the near future.
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