Drug Dealers on Clinton Hill Corner

One of The Local's readers wrote a letter about drug dealers on the corner of Fulton Street and Clinton Avenue. Clearly, other residents are concerned about this issue, as her letter received 26 comments. It stands to reason there are many more concerned citizens who haven't read the letter or commented.

The woman expressed dissatisfaction with the 88^th Precinct's response to complaints about corner poison peddlers. According to ABC, police nabbed 11 dealers in a bust in November of 2009 and 11 more in January of 2010. And, as some of you may recall, in another drug bust in July of 2009, an undercover cop killed a man on Lafayette Avenue, which caused an Internal Affairs investigation (Gothamist).

None of these drug busts of the past solve the problem on the corner of Fulton and Clinton or other corners tomorrow. So what will?

This woman's letter is a good start. (I refer to the writer as "woman" as her letter was published anonymously, which was wise due to obvious safety concerns.) Her letter shines a light on the problem (I saw it) which is the first step to solving any problem. To keep the light shining is the next step. As Carl Paladino, candidate for Governor, quipped, "When you shine a light on rodents, they tend to run away."

One method that makes light-shining easier is teamwork. People might get together and divvy-up tasks such as calling, emailing and writing police superiors and public officials. Contacting the media is an option, as well. Internet exposure can be helpful, too. So, I send this post.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Till next time, Clinton Hill.

Sources:

"Letter from a Reader: Drugs on Clinton Avenue?" The Local
Eyewitness News, "Eleven charged in Brooklyn drug bust," ABC
Eyewitness News, "Alleged gang members nabbed in drug bust," ABC
Billy Parker, "Undercover Cop Fatally Shoots Brooklyn Man During Drug Bust," Gothamist