Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 28, 1995 TAG: 9503280069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After months of crime reports, 911 calls and a police raid, the houses are still there - as are the dealers, their customers and other petty criminals, Joe Nash told council at a meeting Monday.
Nash, president of the Wasena Neighborhood Crimewatch, was one of about 25 residents who made an unscheduled visit to the council meeting.
People who live in Wasena say, ``They love our city. They love their house. They're ready to move,'' he said.
Three residents told tales of crime in Wasena, a middle- and working-class neighborhood in Southwest Roanoke. Problems have persisted despite efforts by residents to work with the city Police Department.
``We have been trying and trying and trying ... We're at the end of our rope,'' Nash told council.
After hearing the residents, council directed the city administration to figure out ways to close the crack houses, two of which are in foreclosure proceedings.
Public Safety Director George ``Chip'' Snead talked to the residents immediately after their pleas and scheduled a meeting with them, the police and city building inspectors next week.
Both Mayor David Bowers and City Manager Bob Herbert said they had heard of no problems in the community before yesterday's meeting.
``We don't want to live in neighborhoods that are run down and crime-ridden, and we know you don't, either,'' Bowers told the audience.
Nash told council that the problem dates back one to two years. Three houses - one on Kerns Avenue, another on Winona Avenue, and a third he declined to specify - are the roots of the crime activity, he said.
Thugs along Main Street have propositioned female customers of a hair salon, spit on male patrons and challenged teens to fight, warning them ``to bring body bags,'' Nash said.
He said he has made more than a hundred 911 phone calls at all hours of the day, frequently between 2 and 4 a.m. Police have improved their response time, he said, but the drug dealers and vandals melt away before police arrive.
Problems have even extended into Wasena Park. Adults tell Nash they're afraid to take their children there because of the ``bad element,'' Nash said.
Also appearing before council were Terri Beck, president of the Wasena Neighborhood Forum, and Sonny Widener, who lives on Main Street.
``Our court system lets us down,'' Beck said.
``You have a legitimate gripe. I certainly hope we can do something about it,'' said Vice Mayor John Edwards.
``We're so worried about the rights of the people committing these acts. I guess we've got to start worrying about the right of the people who live there,'' Councilman Jack Parrott said, drawing applause from the crowd.
``We hope we're not just hearing a tap dance like we've heard at some of our Neighborhood Watch meetings,'' Widener said.
The problems have persisted, residents say, despite a police raid Jan. 17 that yielded two arrests, $47,000 hidden in a shoe box, crack cocaine valued at $13,900 and six ounces of marijuana.
Brothers Jerome ``Doobie'' Jones, 18, and Eric ``Nike'' Jones, 20, were arrested after city vice officers searched their home at 1023 Ferdinand Ave. S.W., across the river from Wasena.
Police suspect they were supplying the Wasena crack houses. Neighborhood residents celebrated the arrests. But The pair posted bond and were out of jail within two days.
Local prosecutors referred the case to the federal courts and, last week, the two brothers were indicted on federal drug and firearm charges.
Thursday, they appeared before a federal magistrate, who set Jerome Jones' bond at $45,000 and Eric Jones' bond at $7,500.
When he posted bond, Eric Jones was ordered to stay away from areas known for drug use and sales. Jerome Jones has not posted bond.
Staff writer Jan Vertefeuille contributed to this report.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***