Community Unites Against Drugs, Gangs

The circle of hands blocked the intersection of Zenith Avenue and East Bates Street on Friday night.

About 100 men, women and children gathered to march through East Lubbock to protest the presence of drug dealers and violent criminals in their neighborhood.

Tina Betts, president of the Cherry Point Neighborhood Association, said the area of East Bates Street, Colgate Street, Cherry Avenue and Zenith Avenue is rife with crime.

"We're going to sing and pray," she said. "We want to bring more attention to where drug dealers are. If we can bring more awareness to what's going on, we can make a difference."

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