THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512160252
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Hearing that a drug gang had been swept away from her neighborhood on Friday by the FBI didn't surprise Cynthia Shoates, a 37-year-old resident of the River Edge Apartments.
After living in River Edge for 18 months, Shoates says, she knows well that the street in front of her home is an open-air market for crack cocaine. But like most of the law-abiding majority at River Edge, Shoates has tried to stay clear of run-ins with the violent drug dealers who conducted business nearby.
``Blacks and whites drive through here all the time to buy drugs,'' Shoates said. ``I just keep to myself and they don't bother me.''
Nevertheless, news of the indictments was good news, Shoates said. She just doesn't think it's likely to change things much in her neighborhood between now and next March, when the city plans to begin tearing down the aging apartment complex.
Before that happens, Shoates predicted, the dealers will be back.
``Soon, it will be just as bad as it ever was,'' Shoates said Friday.
Shoates, like many of her neighbors in River Edge, is more concerned about where she will be living this time next year than about how soon drugs will be eliminated.
``I don't know where I'll be going,'' said 52-year-old Nancy Krashoc, who has lived in River Edge for two years.
Some of those arrested were well-known to River Edge residents. Taubari ``Tabar'' Latson, especially, was a familiar face to many of the people who live there.
``Tabar was here a lot,'' said Vonie Gsskins, 17. ``But I don't say nothing to nobody.''
``Yeah, I used to see Tabar around,'' said 20-year-old Germaine Corbett. ``But he just disappeared.''
The indictments will certainly have more long-term impact on the neighboring Forest Park subdivision. Residents there complained of the overflow of River Edge violence and drug dealing.
Forest Park resident Tara Welt helped start a neighborhood watch four years ago that also helped track drug activity at River Edge. Participants in the watch program took down license numbers and recorded suspected drug transactions with cameras and camcorders.
Welt, who became well-known in both Forest Park and River Edge for her orange and white truck nicknamed the ``Creamsicle,'' said she was unaware of Friday's indictments, but pleased that progress to improve the neighborhood is being made.
``Forest Park has been threatened more times than we care to admit,'' Welt said.
Welt also credited the Portsmouth Police Department for working well with the crime-watchers and is looking forward to the new community policing program she hopes will reach their neighborhood soon. MEMO: Staff Writer Janie Bryant contributed to this report.
[For a related story, see page A1 for this date.]
KEYWORDS: ARREST DRUGS ILLEGAL GANGS by CNB