It's time to speak up!
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Okay all you bloggers and Brentwood Police Department haters. I have read all your blogs with the nasty complaints about the police department, and it's time for me to add my $.02.
I am sick to death of the character "bashing" of these men in the department! Do any of you know these men personally? Who are you to judge them! You have no idea what these men have to put up with on a daily basis, just being employed in Brentwood. It's not easy trying to make a difference in a community when evey single thing they do is scrutinized! First of all, you have some Council members that do nothing all day, except to make up lists of way to scew that department! You have citizens in the boro that will do anything they can to make their work enviornment terrible! They work in a building that was constructed in the 1950's and God forbid they should do any updates or renovation for these men! And, oh yeah...they give tickets and fines...!
Are you mad because you got a DUI? Don't drink and drive. I thank each and every one of them that stopped you before you killed me, my son, or my family!
Are you mad because you got a speeding ticket? Then slow down!
I can't believe that people can be so hateful towards these men. And the lack of respect that they get is just pityful!
These men and hard working family oriented men that show up eveyday and DO THIER JOBS!!! Can you say the same! They are out there protecting you and trying to make sure that you stay safe. Yes, even you, the haters of the department! You should all be ashamed of yourself.
If you want to debate these FACTS..bring it on, but you better come with something more that DUI's and speeding tickets!
And here's a suggestion for all you Brentwood Police Department bashers, You don't like the Cops? Well, the next time you need help...Call a CRACK HEAD!!!
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Thank you,girlfighter.Thank you!
I think you have misinterpreted some of the blogs on this site. I don't believe that our police department has been bashed here. You cannot fix problems that you do not acknowledge. And NO I have not gotten a ticket, or a DUI, in fact my record is squeaky clean. I am not angry.
What makes me angry is when I see drug deals taking place in the borough in plain sight. For instance small boxes being dropped in trash cans and being picked up by kids. And lets not forget the McDonald's parking lot. Then there are the booze runners who meet in the parking lot of Brentwood Towne Square on Friday and Saturday night. Their are drug houses in the borough, the residents know where they are, why don't the police see it? Some people can turn their heads and ignore it, I choose to talk about it, so that it can be corrected.
I don't know your situation, but my daughter will be going up to the high school next year. As a tax payer, it is my right to want to know why there is not a DARE program? We had one before Chief B. What happened??? Why??? Dufalla says he wants it. Then the mayor says he does not. So it is dropped. The parents in this borough need to get involved and start screaming and telling the police and the schools what we want, WE ARE THE TAXPAYERS.
All you have to do is ride around the borough. NOT Brownsville Road. The back streets are littered with cars parked on the wrong side of the road. There are cars SPEEDING up and down our residential streets. And the drug problem seems to be growing.
Our police department has got problems. I personally know 4 of them. I have talked with them from both sides. There is definitely divisiveness going on there. Our force has been divided into two categories. The ones that are the chief's favorites and the ones that the chief does not like. I am not sure, but I am assuming that is why Officer F. left the force.
I also know for a fact that there have been felonies in the borough, three in the very recent past that the Chief failed to show up at. Explain this to me? I just don't understand how you can say that the bloggers are wrong here. How can you say they are doing the best they can do.
I also go back to my original thoughts, the police should have to live in the borough. Then they would have a vested interest in the community.
I am sure there are supplies that are needed in the department, but I know for a fact (because I go to the meetings) that they got a new police car (which I have not seen yet). They got new computers, a new flackjacket, new lockers, and a new monitor for the cameras in the park. It is the responsibility of the chief to let council know what they need.
Oh, and finally...the last time I checked, council was not in charge of the Police department. The mayor has made that clear. It's him and the chief in control.
Dear Wizard,
I think that if I were a parent of a young child in these times,I would be very concerned too.One thing that puzzles me- I have been to council meetings were a mob of residents took up the entire meeting with concerns over the pool hours,adult swim times and who uses the consession stand. I have never witnessed a group of residents there to express the drug issue concerns,drug houses in the community,or drinking problems.The priorities have always seemed wrong.
Parked cars and speeding are issues in every community,not just Brentwood.As far as the statement that the Mayor and Chief are in charge of the department,nothing could be farther from the truth.That is the way it is supposed to be,but politics and police work are so intertwined that it is hard to tell where one starts and the other ends.
As far as officers living in the borough,that topic has been discussed to death on this site.You currently have several officers who do live there and these problems still occur.
The Chief should not have to show up at every felony.Isn't that why other officers work shifts and collect pay checks?There is an officer in charge of every shift.Any officer on that department should be able to handle any situation without the Chief present.
Mother of ..... husband of..... expert of. Please enough Candles lady, your inside expertise of the police profession is overwhelming us. The sources you gain from are a far cry from what perfection is and your constant crying about council is clearly reflected back to the demotion and forward to your sources need of support for survival. Come to reality, the Mayor and Chief care not for Brentwood Borough, you know it and we all know it. Brentwood is a small town, there are no secrets here.
Screw you Victory.I have never claimed to be an expert.God,how could I be when there are so many of you here? You know all,voice all,and are the only right one here.We all know that from all of your other perfect blogs.
When you refer to my "source needing support for survival"-if you were half the person that my "source"is,I would tolerate your pompous attitude and ignorance.You can not come up to the lint in my "sources" belly button!
It's a small town alright-one that has depleted the gene pool years ago.
Ok I have lived in this borough all my life, and hopefully my children will too. You claim that every resident knows where the "Drug Houses" are in Brentwood. Really? I don't know where they are located. I know that if more residents in this borough would make it known were the drug houses are, these drug dealers would be a little more worried about what might happen. Without people having this knowledge we are powerless.
You state about booze runs in the Town Square, please tell me the time in place, as an adult I have stopped several young kids with booze, and I called the cops every time. Why haven't you? As for drugs being distributed in plain sight, I have called the police myself for the same thing, and you know what? They showed up right away, and I told them as much information about both people involved and the car involved as I could. The police officer took all the imformation and thanked me and told me that if I see this car again to get the lisence plate and call them immediately. Now I am understanding that we are down officers right now, therefore we really can't afford to have officers staking out a house all night and not protecting our citizens else where. I also believe and am hopefull that they will take down these houses, but I also think that they would need the help of county, we are just too small of a department to count on a few men to take down a whole house.
As for a dare program, all I have to say is yes it would be nice to have a dare program back in the schools. But come on, no matter what you tell the kids they are still going to do what they want to do. Do any of you really know what the dare program was about when the last officer was in charge? It had nothing to do with drugs and drinking, it was all about smoking. I know this because I had witnessed the program first hand. I thought dare was to be about drugs and drinking?
It is nice to hear a rational approach to the drug and booze problem.Concerned residents need to get involved in an active way.Good for you.
I agree Mouthoff! Why not tell everyone where these drug houses are because I do not know where they are. I guess everyone on this blog that is sooo up in arms about the drinking and drugs going on in Brentwood has short memories. I was born and raised in Brentwood and gee every weekend I knew PLENTY of people getting drunk. Every day walking to school through the park, the same guys were smoking joints by the press box as well as all the drinking and smoking that went on down the hollow and in the park. This isn't anything new or are you all going to lie and say you were a model teenager and didn't drink until you were 21 and none of you smoke a joint or a cigarette ever in your lives (you could be like our LOVELY president and never inhaled so it doesn't count!) Yes, it is getting to be a bigger problem and yes there are more dangerous drugs out there now that there was when I was growing up and as much as the police can do to help saves lives of these young immature minds would be wonderful. A DARE program is going to be ingored! I KNOW personally drug dealers that have the DARE license plate. It is a joke! IF you are doing your parental job correctly your child doesn't need the DARE program. Maybe sit down with your kids and talk to them about their day and what goes on as apposed to trying to have someone else do the dirty work for you. I am guessing that the "birds and the bees" are supposed to be taught by a heath teacher instead of a parent also. As I have stated before, I read the South Hills Record and on a week to week basis I see SOOO many entries from Brentwood as well as Whitehall, Baldwin, Pleasant Hills ect... Look around because these issues are everywhere!
Gee Hawk,I am getting worried here.I have been in agreement with your last few blogs! You stated the issue very well.Theses problems arent exclusive to Brentwood.They DO exist in every community.As you stated,we all knew where the party areas were in our childhood communities.
Parental involvement with their children and discussions about drugs and drinking are proven to be far more effective than anything.Students who have been through the DARE programs have gone on to be arrested for drug use.Something as precious as your children should never be left to anothers responsibility.
I agree on one thing... parents do need to be involved and teach their kids about drugs. I am absolutely not asking anyone to do my job for me. Unfortunately though, some kids parents are too busy or just don't care and if the DARE program stops one child from trying drugs then it was worth it. Not every child has a network of support like mine.
I refuse to just sit back and watch these things go on in my community without saying something. I have talked to the police. I have called on many occasions. However, you get to the point where you feel frustrated that nothing is being done. Our concerns are falling on deaf ears. It's unacceptable. Their is no excuse for what is going on. I stand by my earlier comment...They can do better!!
Dear Wizard,
I did not mean to infer that you were asking others to do your parenting for you. Obviously you would not be as concerned about what is happening in your community if that were so.
Dont get frustrated.Stay persistant and keep talking about the problems.Staying quiet doesnt change things.
Hawk,
I am sorry to tell you that no I never did drugs or drink. I still don't drink to this day! I heard stories about drinking in the park, but that was it. I was too involved with my sports, school work, after school activities, and working to try any of those things. Even if I wasn't busy I know for a fact that I would of never tried those things either, I was raised to believe that those things would never let me amount to anything. And I honestly believe that my parents were right, I see so many people that I graduated with all around Pittsburgh, some have been arrested for variuos reasons and others never furthered their education and they are still going nowhere. If parents would talk to their kids or monitor where their kids are and when they come home there would be less of a problem. I see what looks like 14 year olds walking Brownsville at 1 am, where are their parents? I know where my children are every minute of the day, I know their friends, and their friends parents, if I don't know the parents my kid isn't going out with that child.
Part I: Our Children
The reality of drugs and alcohol is that these vices have always been with us, I simply think that todays kids are more blatant and bold about it. I suppose in the year 2007, some adults feel that doing these things are a rite of passage and for that reason, are desensitized to the shock it once was and should be. I disagree with the notion that one cannot reach adulthood without partaking of these activities. In my day, as I'm sure it still must be, there was no shortage of examples of people demonstrating how continually abusing drugs and/or alcohol can destroy the mind, body and spirit. That and the guidance of my parents who instilled in me the sense of right and wrong and of course the fact that they would never tolerate such behavior, kept me on the straight and narrow.
I think that parents of today need to expect more of their children. High expectations and standards create young adults of good character. Lowering the bar or expecting less than the best behavior is an affront to society. I feel great sadness that anyone grew up in a household or is living in a household where parents 'understand' their teens enough to expect this type of behavior to occur. To expect teens to use, in my opinion, is to almost encourage and allow this environment to flourish. I don't agree with that. At what point does the parent determine that the experimentation has gone too far? When your child steals or pawns your belongings for their next fix, when they introduce your younger child to this world, or perhaps when they harm or destroy others or themselves for good. The answer is to raise your child so this will not happen to begin with. So if you are a parent out there and you're o.k. with your child experimenting-'cause maybe you did when you were a kid, and look everything turned out o.k.-stop the cycle. This kind of thinking is perfunctory. It is not good parenting to expect your kids to try drugs. Some drugs out there today only need one dose and your addicted for life! Explain to your kids that alcohol/drug use is not acceptable in your household. Mean what you say. Get literature, go to websites and (sadly) point out people in the community(and in the media) whose lives are ruined due to their using.
Let me reiterate: A good parent expects the best from their children.
Any adult should be shocked to learn that their children are using. It is not a rite of passage into adulthood. It is illegal, it is wrong and it could destroy them.
Part II: Our Community
I have read the comments here about all of us knowing who the drug dealers are, where the drug houses are, just ask any kid, blah, blah, blah.
Well I have asked some teens, maybe they are not 'cool' enough to know this information (thank goodness), but apparently these dealers and houses are not as obvious as you state. So I am asking all the confident bloggers out there to drop the innuendos and be forthright. You put it out there, so finish it. Please provide the house numbers and street names to these drug houses. It would also be nice if you could throw in a name of a dealer or two, as well. I remember a couple of years ago, town being plastered with the signs on phone poles of pictures of known drug houses and their addresses. Very clever strategy. I'm not sure how that turned out but I believe that knowledge is power. If the information gets out there 1. we can protect our children and 2.if enough people show up at council armed with their testimony something would have to be done.
So how about it? Mostly everyone here is anonymous, so any ramifications should not be a concern and it is not libel if it is true.
Part III: Our Future
We need to take our town back. We also need to expect more from our citizens both young and old. If previous generations are any indication, it is very true that our residents tend to stay here exclusively all their lives. The very kids you see hanging out and the children we are rearing now, are going to be our future police force, our mayor, and our council members that will be representing and protecting us. It is crucial that our children should be raised and held to the highest standards so when they are adults they will make us proud. We should hope that we have done the best job of creating contributing members and not burdens of society.
In faith that we can all do our part in making a better tomorrow,
Sleepless In Brentwood
there. You can do all the turning in you want to. The officers appease, you , thank, you humor you and then goodbye. You may see them speeding, lights on sirens rollin and guess what? a few moments later I see them unpacking luggage from a car? Not to mention the actions during the Whitehall fireworks & traffic display -what a joke. I am sorry for the good guys really, but like Pat bus drivers it only takes one @ to fill the seat wrong. The badge really has gone to their head and you know what, a crack head would be there faster if you offered a couple of bucks.
I to have a squeaky clean record but I must say with a tearful eye. I have lost all respect for the law and sad to say all but that one good guy has a game going on. I assure you. Ps start arresting the tobacco smokers --their a much passive people. Did you ever notice the most wicked of roads and light runners there is never a officer to be seen.
I guess I just have to see a little more to gain that respect I had as a child that was instilled in all of us of that generations ..
You said it girl. Thank You.
Give me A break! Just compare them to any other Police force. No ambition, No drive, No DARE, no investigations, no drug enforcement, no traffic enforcement, little police work if any. And before all you start to shoot your mouth off, I never got A ticket from them, nor was I ever pulled over, and yes I have had the opportunity to know most of them and work with them.FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE!
Yo Watcher,
You took the words out of my mouth! I was going to type something very similar earlier, but got side tracked. You saved me from getting a blister on my typing finger! LOL! Same as you: Never pulled over, never ticketed. I'm with you on this fer sure!
IF.
Dear Watcher,
I suggest that we continue your list of police issues: no support from Borough Council,not enough officers to do the work,no current equipment(except one new car),conflict among officers that spills from council,no appreciation for anything,no advancements or promotions,no community support,a school district that didnt want a DARE program for years but has changed its mind,residents that dont appreciate the officers that get the DUI arrests and protect your family,officers who tried bike programs and other community activities,officers who still have nail holes in their hands from the crucification during the Gammage era,shall I continue?
What exactly is your first hand knowledge? It is a bit different than what I have known for 26 years.While comparing departments,think about the 2 officers from Brentwood who have received the Top Gun Award for DUI arrests.What about the 2 year period when Babish was Chief that the residents referred to the department as the Traffic Nazis?What about the bar owners who actually have the b-lls to call the Chief and complain about officers making DUI arrests?
When comparing departments,compare the politics of the other boroughs.NONE of the surrounding departments have as many politicians trying to be Chief!
THis is the first time I have been able to look back for comments on my original blog! Thank you candleslady for your support! I knew, (and was hoping) for a citizen of the community to fire back with the "first hand knowledege" comment! what exactly is the knowledege that you have. Are you a police officer? Or are you one of those concerned citizens that always wanted to be a cop...but never did! Because we have alot of them in our boro. The kind that stay home and listen to the police scanner...(we in public saftey call these people...WACKERS!) and think you are able to solve the crimes just from hearing the call! Well, I'm here to tell you. If you think it's a piece of cake job...you are wrong. No, watcher, I am not a police officer. No even close. I could not even attempt to do thier job in Brentwood. But I have known some of these men for close to 14 years, and I have seen some really good officers leave the department!
What about the bike rallies that officer Mickelonas and officer Zepphur organized this summer. (ofc Frankenfield organized them for years before, but he's not here anymore...is he????) What about the k-9 program that ofc Mullholland started! What about the "Safe at home " program that again, the police officers organized.
I remember a while back that there was a drug task force in the boro that rounded up some triple digits in drug arrests...but that was put to an end because as per the council memebers...there is no drug problem in Brentwood! WHAT!!!!!! No drug problem...HA! This is the mentallity that these officers have to deal with!
I could go on forever defending this department! I just have one last thing to say to you, Watcher. Why don't you try being a DOER, instead of watcher!
If the Police are so great and make so many arrests, why are there kids buying drugs outside the library during school days? I can show you the indivdual's selling the drugs, just about all the school kids can to. The Police dont know this? No I'm not A "whacker", just A concerned citizen. You mentioned the K-9 program, you mean the one the Chief doesnt support and that officer Mullholland has to pay out of his pocket? How about the lockbox program that the Police started, so that emergency services can get into your house if you were incapacitated? Oh well, we dont have no more money, they want the EMS to do it. Bike Rallies, you mean the one where they supply helmets to every kid in the south hills, every year it the same kids, kind of A waste dont you agree?(p.s. I have been to the rallies, i know). These officers can be out ther making A difference, they just choose not to. And before someone comes back on here, lets remember what officer who was Chief for A short time and couldnt handle it and was demoted back to Patrol duties, why? cause there was A shooting and he didnt show up when called.
This is the last thing that needs to be said concerning the police department. Every thing you said in your last blog "watcher" has everthing to do with the Brentwood Coucil. Everything these officers try to do is shot down or cancelled because it is not something that "A COUNCIL" member suggested. They are trying to make a difference. ARE YOU!!! If YOU know so much about the drug deals and the dealers names, and where they are and who they sell it too, AGAIN...I urge you to DO something about it, instead of "watching" it happen. Go to a council meeting and try to get your point across...But again I say, the council thinks there is no drug problem in brentwood! Talk is soooooo cheap and placing blame is easy to do. If your that concerned about your community. DO SOMETHING!
Allow me to check my scorecard. This current council is to blame for no DARE or DRUG ENFORCEMENT program? The scorecard reads that those programs were ended long before this current council took office. I think that these date back..... oh yeah to the day Chief Butelli took office. That ended along with the drug awareness program. Scorecard does not reflect what council shot down, but I am interested in what the officers had in mind that you claim was. PLEASE tell us all PLEASE. Can you imagine if council passed an ordinance or law that required the Mayor and Chief to enact these programs, boy would the solicitor get fat with those legal bills. Nothing goes by without the dynamic duo refusing to allow it with a declaratory judgement. I hear that the borough can not afford the best for our officers, I have that solution. Maybe the officers should ask their mechanic to pay the bill for the requested equipment.
Watcher..... please...... deliver the mail and keep the ole pie hole shut.
I read the new car mentioned here again.... Yes, council has purchased a new POLICE car and again the DUO has said NO. I heard it myself at every council meeting since the car arrived. Lieb questions its use every council and agenda and the Mayor outright makes excuses on my its not being used to patrol our streets.
Brentwood is wide known for tough DUI enforcement - but I hear that the Chief is tuff on the officers that are the best at it. Is this right CANDLESLADY ?
I read alot here that council is to blame for the Police Department but the Mayor clearly states that he is in charge and all decisions are made solely by his thrown. SOOOOOOOOOOO, who is it McCheese.... your fault or not your fault ??
Why do people always put words into other peoples blogs? First Victory,I dont know about the Chief and the treatment of officers at the department.I dont work there.The officers who are getting the DUI's are to be commended in my opinion.If he is tough on them,perhaps it's for other reasons?As far as keeping drunks off the street,I thank them for what they do.
I dont believe that I stated that the current council is responsible for the lack of a DARE program or drug enforcement.
Watcher- if you are referring to my husband when you mention the officer who was demoted to patrolman,it wasnt because he couldn't handle it or didnt show up at a shooting.It was because he too was a political pawn-of Ron Arnoni.When he was Mayor,he had his own adgenda.He thought he should be Chief.My husband was just trusting enough of the Benedict Arnolds around him to help with his own demise as Chief.I dont call five years of hell "a short time."
As it turns out,his demotion was the best favor that this borough could have done not only for him,but for our whole family.Ask the Butelli family.I am sure they would understand.Brentwood Police Department with,what? 11 officers now? makes the City of Pgh look like a cake walk for police officers.Get your facts straight before you claim to know anything.
Why dont I do something about it? Isn't that why we have A police force?
Yes, I know, everyone is A pawn of someone else, good excuse for not doing your job. The police are supposed to be on the street doing there job. Supervisors and chiefs on call to handle serious crimes. Yes they make DUI arrests but besides that, what else? And simply making A DUI arrest doesnt keep people off the street.They are out of jail in A few hours, and back behind the wheel in A couple days. There is A drug problem in Brentwood, the police know the drug areas and houses, simple police presence is A major tool in fighting drug crime. How many times has the Community bank been robbed while the police were A block away? Someone mentioned Babish, not sticking up for the man but when he was here the police wernt allowed to hang out at the boro bldg., they had to patrol, do traffic enforcement, go on EMS calls, etc. Did you know that each police car has A medic bag, oxygen, and A AED? Do you know what condition this equipment is in? Do I need to tell you? The police have no specialized training, any equipment they have is in poor condition. The K-9 was mentioned, did any one ask how much the police and boro support this valuable tool? Especially when he is ranked as the top felony dog in the area. Oh, i forgot they are pawns.
you make absoultely no sense what so ever. You should probably pick a side of the fence and stay there. Are you supporting the police now? the first comments you made where, "no ambition, no this ,no that? Now you say they are trying to do so much! Get it together or keep your mouth shut. Everyone knows who you are and you are pretty much making a fool of yourself!
You go candelslady! And as for VICTORY's comments. A long as I has lived in this boro. I can't believe the stupidity that comes from these residences. Watcher...get a job and stay off the computer!
I think I like your way of thinking,girlfighter!
Yes,Watcher,everyone is someones pawn.That's called life.More importantly,that's called politics.Chiefs on call,yes,but supervisors? Brentwood PD only has one other "supervisor" and that is a token Sargeant.
If the poor judicial system releases these idiots back to the streets,how is that the police officers fault?How does that translate in to not doing their job.
The Community bank could be IN the borough building and still get robbed.That isnt their fault either.Eleven officers,3 shifts,24 hours a day,365 days a year.Do the math.They can't be everywhere.
Did you know that the "good ole days" of Babish were the most turbulant for this borough and yet you speak of him with admiration!Did you know that he illegally tried to instill a ticket quota on the department.Great choice for Chief of the year,Watcher.
If you are so concerned about the condition of the police departments equipment,why are you bitchin' about it here?Take it to council!
What else do you have to blame on the Brentwood PD? Maybe they are at fault for unfair garbage billing or pot holes or global warming!
Watcher,
In your discussions with Officer Mulhullon,did he tell you that he gets paid monthly for food,ect. for the dog?Are you aware that the borough bought the dog from the Housing Authority?Of course,when he doesnt show up for work,neither does the valuable police tool.
It is very clear by your comments who you are talking to for your information.As it is public knowledge,I suggest that you go to the borough building and get CORRECT information.Then and only then can you make the statement that Milt and Ranger are pawns.I suggest that you leave the innocent dog out of this political trash.Unlike humans,he is a devoted creature and doesnt know how to be cruel.
I am sure that the Borough will tell you what they pay to support a K-9 team.
The "good ole days" of Chief Swinney were even better! *sigh*
You can always be counted on for a well thought out comment Frank.Way to use that gray matter! At least you spelled the name right!
Oh, trust me, Candleslady has the score, right on! And, it's also true that anyone who wants to shoot their mouths off ought to do the research and get the facts right before they open their mouths.
And this is for anyone who has an axe to grind with police officers. Maybe you'd be a little more grateful for the time, effort, expense and courage that these people put forth just to protect ungrateful, lawbreaking citizens if you knew exactly what they put on the line every day that they show up for work. They aren't worried for their safety, dufus, they're worried about keeping their little corner of the world safe so that people like you can be free to keep b*tching up a storm about them. Maybe, just maybe, if all the people who "hate" police officers would clean up their acts and take a good long look in the mirror they would figure out that the police shouldn't be disliked at all. Personally, I'd rather thank a police officer than bash him or her.
Dear Mp,
I am glad to see that others who support the police are now speaking up.What would the world be like with out them?Thank you for speaking out in favor of the officers.
Candleslady:
Does the word Afghanistan mean anything?
If there were no police officers out there, we'd be living like over there or, in the alternative for lack of a better comparison, in the "wild, wild west."
No need to thank me for speaking out on their behalf. My days of standing in front of a certain borough council speaking out on their behalf are in the not-so-distant past. I think Channel 2's Ralph Ianotti got a belly full of me when I retorted to what he thought of Brentwood's officers and residents! LOL
Wild,wild west.Sort of goes with the "Good Ole Boys",doesn't it?What a vision! Cops on horses galloping down Brownsville Rd.Can just hear the complaints about the horse s-it now!!!!Hey,that would be the police officers fault too!
Good thing that they are getting rid of the brick streets.The horses would end up with comp injuries too!
Thanks anyway.A friend to the cops is always a friend of mine!
Seriously, I honestly don't see any true bashing here in this blog - I see some people that are frustrated, but I've read this over and over again, (AND PREVIOUS BLOGS), and I am NOT reading "hate" as GirlFighter started this off with. Seems like a bunch of distortion and false truth and everyone is misquoting and reading between the lines... No wonder the Daily Rotten forum makes so much more sense. Regardless, WATCHER is not being offensive and switching sides, and Candleslady knows the behind the scenes - I suggest that we all take our masks off and have a "Coffee Break" some morning and debate face to face ... Anyone interested???
Dear Ironflutterby,
I dont believe in masks.If you believe in what you are writing or saying,there is no need to hide behind a mask.That is why I am not trying to hide who I am.I have no reason to.
I understand that people get frustrated,but place that anger where it belongs.These comments and rumors can be very spiteful and hurtful.They invade others personal lives.Just because you are employed by that borough or associated in any way should not make you a target for angry residents.
I agree with your statement about false truths and distortions.I also think a face to face debate would be great,but you would need the very police there that everyone condems-if people are this nasty as ghost writers,could you imagine what they would do to each other in person?
I doubt it would be able to get nastier in person. Anonmity gives people false courage, dropping the masquerade would, in all probability, turn them into someone much more mild-mannered.
Anyways, seems to me that people should adhere more to an old saying. It goes. . "Judge not lest ye be judged." Or, another good one, "Do unto others as you'd have done to you." This whole world would be a much better place in which to live if everyone observed just one of these sentences. Can you imagine how much more peaceful life would be?
Girlfighter, Brownsville Road is as much a speeding zone as any other street in that borough. Drug deals go down there maybe not as much, but believe me, they happen there, too. I know because I lived on that road for a little over twenty years.
And contrary to what the current McCheese has to say about it, council has their share of input in what happens with the police department and whatever programs (such as DARE, etc.) that the department gets involved in. After all, they DO vote on who is and is not hired/fired when it comes to a borough-related position. I am also personally acquainted with more than one police officer who are currently on the force, as well as several, how shall I put it, "alumni" of that department. I have also gone to my fair share of council meetings, been in front of news cameras more than I care to remember, and fought tooth and nail for the police to have the right to do their jobs in that community and participate in programs that will enrich the community.
Inasfar as police having to live in the community, well, I don't agree with that position. The City of Pittsburgh requires their officers, as well as ALL employees in city-paid positions to live within the city limits. I can tell you from experience that all city officers don't give a hoot about protecting the city and it's residents just because they live there. A lot of them are just putting their time in so that they receive a somewhat decent pension at the end of all the hell. It's like any other job or company out there. You're going to have those who excel at their jobs because they DO care and those who purely don't give a crap because they're just there to collect the pay check. And, I can tell you that Officer F. exited stage left because of all the politics that runs downhill into the department.
The waiting to obtain new equipment you can chalk up to small area and, therefore, small tax base. It's the same all across this country. All small communities are going to have to put off the new cars, computers, etc. because it takes longer to save the money necessary for the purchases.
To make a long story short, politics ought to be dispensed with, and posthaste, when it comes to public service. Any job from the mayor on down needs to be handled without bias and/or favoritism. Good job performance deserves praise and reward - the opposite kind of performance should be brought to light and better personnel put in place, just like any company would do.
100 block Catskill, 2700 block Clermont, 2800 block Pyramyd, Brentshire Gardens, Victoria and Pearl drive, also drugs can be found most any day in the Brentwood High school.
Watcher,
Thank you for replying, however not as specific as I had hoped for. I, too read the Record and am familiar with our 'problem' streets. I also realize that not every residence on the block (and for some it is a big spread) is a drug house. You may have missed my requested detail of specific house numbers. Granted, I'm sure on some of the streets you are referring to are the apartment complexes which would be difficult to get a specific apartment number, I am expecting more complete information about the drug houses.
Once again, you are anonymous here and I don't believe it is libel if it is true.
I am asking that if this is all as obvious as some have stated post the information. I believe that it would be more helpful to the authorities to pursue a specific site then to give them a 'ballpark' area. It has been my experience that the more specific the info the more likely it can be pursued. If anything, I believe that the generalizations(areas) you have provided do seem to get a lot of ink in the local paper. In that regard, I do believe that our law enforcement is doing something otherwise these streets would not make it in the crime blotter section to begin with.
As far as the high school, are there any teachers or building employees out there that could comment on first hand accounts or suggestions on what they feel could ideally be done?
Sleepless,
I have to agree with Watcher that he should not have to give exact house numbers. With the information that he has provided (although it is generally known), the police should be able to do a little bit of leg work on their own to find out what houses they are. Watcher is not a paid police officer (at least as far as I know), so why should he do the detectives work for them? Put his life on the line when he isn't getting paid for it? I know I wouldn't do it, would you? If so, maybe you should apply for the opening. I am sorry if you don't agree with that, but I saw the same thing at the last borough meeting. A future council member did not want to give up names and addreses of people that he knew were not paying garbage bills. If somebody who is going to be involved in running our borough won't give up information about garbage bills (I don't see him getting hurt doing that), why should Watcher give up this infomration? Drug dealers are a lot more dangerous than a few old coots that aren't paying for garbage.
I hear a lot of talking about drugs and alchohol, but not a lot about smoking. I see more kids smoking around the high school, that I see drug deals. As a matter of fact, I saw a group of kids smoking on the side of the library just this morning. The crossing guard did not do a thing, nor did the officer who was sitting in the Fire House parking lot. He was too busy talking to a friend to pay attention. Even if he wasn't, he would have done nothing. How can I tell? If the kids thought he would have, they wouldn't be doing it in plain site. Let's crack down on those kids, as well as the stores selling to them. I can't tell you how many kids I see coming from the convenience store across the street from the High School with a brand new pack of smokes in hand. They smoke them right in the parking lot (less than a block from where another cop used to sit last school year). Will kids still smoke, drink, and do drugs? Yes they will. Does that mean that we have to tolerate it in public? I sure hope not. If we do, then maybe I should move also. I know what I did as a kid, but I had the fear of getting busted by the cops (or my parents) to make sure I did it all behind closed doors, or deep in the woods.
Before it goes there, I am not bashing the police. They do a thankless job, and do not get enough recognition or pay for what they do. For what most of them do on a daily basis, I would rather see them making the big bucks than the lawyer down the street who gets the criminals off on technicalities. On the other hand, you will always have a few "Bad Apples" that give the force a bad name. I do criticize the Chief for not showing up for Felony cases though. I have met the man, and he is a very nice guy. On the other hand, he should show up for EVERY felony in this borough. If there is a major issue where I work, the HEAD guy is always involved. That's the way it is supposed to be, it's what he gets paid for. The head person in charge from shift to shift can handle what goes on, but major investigations should always be run by the most qualified person. If that is not the Chief, then maybe we should look elsewhere.
Lastly, sorry for the long winded reply, but I have been away and had a lot to say. Finally a blog that is worth something. It's about time. I hope to see more of these in the future. It would be a nice change to the site.
I am sure you must realize the liability of naming specific names and or addresses. I assure you that there are drug houses and or apt.s on these particular streets as there have been several reported overdoses in some of them. The Catskill address in particular, very well known to the police, but it continues on, and for quite sometime now. As for the high school, as I have stated before, there are drugs there everyday, the police k-9 should be run through there on A rotating weekly basis. Why the Brentwood Police or the Brentwood school police fail to act is anyones guess.
Watcher,
No, I don't understand the liability. If you are going to run your mouth about drug houses, either put up or shut up. You are on an anonymous web site, unless you have told people (that you don't entirely trust) your screen name you should have no worries. Besides, if it is indeed the truth that you state, you should not be concerned with libel. That is why nothing ever gets done around here. Everyone is quick to point fingers to a problem but for whatever reasons, refuse to get to the source. Yet, people will continue whining about our problems and nothing changes. I feel that if these drug houses are known we can take this information to council and with all the publicity 1) something would have to be done and 2) Brentwood might get the reputation of zero-tolerance for this and these dealers would not be able to hide in plain view anymore. Also, it should be brought to the attention of our chairman of the lights and refuse committee that our garbage cans are being utilized as drug pick up points. Easy: Pull the cans off the streets.
Considering a conversation that I had last night with a high school student, I suppose the term drug houses is open to interpretation. Perhaps this explains your reluctance in identifying these drug houses. In my mind, I am imagining some drug kingpin residing in town spending their days and nights receiving and distributing packages and counting money piled up on the tables next to the scales and various paraphernalia that goes with this lifestyle. Maybe the reality is more of what this student relayed to me. The student stated that occasionally someone is stupid enough to come to school with some but for the most part that is not necessary. Those who use just get 'high' in the morning before school and are fixed all day until they head to someones house after school to do it again. So maybe some drug houses that are being referred to are family homes that contain teens and their friends that are unsupervised? However, a part of me is still of the opinion that if you cannot provide the facts for your statements its nothing more than gossip.
The information that this student told me makes me think of a couple of points:
1). What is the police juristication in this matter? Do they have any? If a drugged up kid is sitting in the high school is it soley the schools 'problem'? Does the school have the onus due to the students' presence on their property? What about the teachers? Granted, many youngsters that age come off awkward and dopey to begin with but is it that difficult to differentiate between that and a clearly drugged-up student? Does the school and its employees have an obligation to contact the parents about their concerns or a policy in place to do so? Quite frankly, I'm surprised that these students even bother to show up at all. Is that the thinking,that the school is just grateful that there's a little bit of desire on the students part to attend classes that they they don't want to rock the boat?
As far as parents, it always seems to go back to this: lack of adult supervision. Parents, you are failing your children. I hate to say that its too late but it is so much easier to establish rules and expectations when your kids are younger and not 300lb. gorillas. Don't ignore it and hope it will get better. Do whatever you can to intervene. Counseling, denying use of games, phones, cars, switch off the money source, whatever it takes. Be there when your kid gets home from school. If you can't find a relative or pay a neighbor to 'babysit' (use the $ you'll save on one less cell phone bill and their car insurance) your wayward teen. Make arrangements that they enter the school and that someone is there to chaperon them back home. Don't let them hang out with (shady) friends, in fact no other activities except homework. Make them housebound when not in school and no internet privileges. Sound harsh, too tough, probably, but when you wait 15 years to discipline your child its going to be a brick wall and look at the other option, let it go and watch your kid destroy themselves and even their life.
I would never wish this situation on any family, however in the world of business, a business can only thrive when the commodity is being purchased. Supply and demand. In Brentwood, it appears that we have let our guard down. Whether it is stupid ways of thinking (I did drugs as a teen so if...), a desensitization of the shock it should be, oblivious and/or ignorant adults in a capacity to intercede but don't or absentee parenting. Whatever the reason, in order to take back our town we need to claim our future, our youth. I can assure you that a business won't stick around for long if there's no customers.
Start today to get involved and do what you can to make a positive difference in a Brentwood teens' life. Our future and theirs depends on it.
If we have the means, why not use them.
After reading what everyone wrote, I felt obligated to put my .02 cents in - seems that ever since Brentwood has started changing to Section 8 housing, more and more crimes have been escalating. We're basically turning into the hill district - slowly but surely. In light of the rising crime sprees Brentwood Police have stood solid - anytime they've been called, they were there within 5 minutes - I commend these guys for doing an outstanding job in light of all the welfare recipients invading the working people's lives - bringing drugs into our once safe community.
Perhaps instead of everyone bashing these guys, we really should be thanking them....
You know what? I am in A better position to notify authorities then to go to A flim-flam council meeting. And you know what? I have, do they do anything? NO! I have even contacted outside authorities and they have said not there problem unless the local police ask. And yes, I am concerned with liability, I have already seen supposedly anonymous people"s identities disclosed.If the local police here choose not to act with all the evidence right in front of them, then thats there problem and yours. Multiple overdoses in one house is more than unsupervised kids. Do the Police investigate when the ambulance responds to an overdose? No. They do A report and thats about the end of it. No investigation of what it was or where it came from. Charges filed? Hardly ever. Ever hear of the drug task force doing raids or anything else? Apparently not in Brentwood. Until the Police start to be aggressive and do some good, honest police work, the drugs will continue to be here.