HarlemLIVE

Two months ago 161st and 163rd streets in Manhattan were places where even Superman would have been afraid to show his face because of the tremendous drug problems. Many children reported that they spent little time outside playing because of the heavy drug activity. However, with the arrival of beat cops the drug dealers have moved off these two streets.

Officer Shelto said that the New York Police Department in conjunction with the Block Assistance Association have come together and have gotten the drug dealers off the blocks by arresting drug dealers and destroying the operation used to bring the drugs into the community.

Residents and many officers from the 33rd precinct said that drugs and prostitution have been in the neighborhood for a long time. They said drugs were basically brought in by the Heaven Cab Company. Officer Adorno said that "We addressed the situation by putting pressure on the company and ultimately took away many of the cab drivers' taxi licenses." He later reported that the police officers also arrested nearly 80 drug dealers from the block.

Several children from 161st and 163rd streets wrote letters to the 33rd precinct saying how thankful they were that the police got the drug dealers off their streets and stated they are very happy to have the chance to play on their block again.

14 year old Brian from 161 street said, "Since the drug dealers have left the community it is safe to play outside and this is the most fun that kids have had in a long time." Ms. Martinez a long time resident of the community, was so happy she kept repeating "NO MORE DRUGS!", "NO MORE DRUGS!","NO MORE DRUGS!".

The community is now virtually drug free and a better place for children to play but the community still does not feel totally safe.

Many children said that their mother's still do not want their children playing in the streets, especially at night, because they fear Police Brutality. 17 year old Jordan, said people on my block (161st Street ) walk away from cops because they don't feel safe and fear being arrested for stupid reasons. "Like one day," said Jordan, " My friends and I were just standing on the corner and a cop came and grabbed my chain and popped it On another occasion, my friend was hit in the mouth with a police radio for no reason." Jordan closed by saying, "All cops are not bad, I just don't like corrupt cops and there seems to be a lot of them in the 33rd precinct ".
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MALIK'S POINT OF VIEW-
It is definitely good that the police have cleaned up 161 and 162 streets, however this is something that should have been done a long time ago. Moreover, it is the police department's responsibility to keep drugs away from children everywhere. The Police are using this one heroic act in the hopes that people will forget about police brutality, but we could never forget about Kevin Sadaniel, Abner Luima, Eleanor Bumpers, or Rodney King.

I think Black people should come together and fight these corrupt cops.

Thank you for reading this story and I hope that you are aware of what is going on in your neighborhood!