The handwritten “HEROIN FOR SALE 3937 MASSACHUSETTS” flier that one frustrated resident dropped on the front stoops of houses along a block of North Massachusetts Avenue galvanized homeowners along the tree-lined residential street to take action.
http://liarcatchers.com/electronic_surveillance.html
In response, longtime neighbor Carol Padden organized a community meeting in early March. She knew other residents were as concerned as she was by the suspected drug activity at one house on the street during all hours of the day.
Padden distributed a flier of her own: “House to House — Making a Difference” and started Overlook’s Neighborhood Advocacy Group.
Mark Wells, a city crime prevention coordinator, came to the meeting and encouraged the fed-up residents to become the “eyes and the ears” for police.
“We just felt that the livability of our street and our neighborhood was being compromised,” Padden said.
From that point on, neighbors kept constant surveillance on the suspect home at 3937 N. Massachusetts Ave. They jotted down the license plates of cars, noted the descriptions of bikes coming and going from the home and logged dates and times of suspected drug activity at the house.
They even came up with code names for the strange characters they frequently watched: Skinny Jeans, Red Shoes, Fatso, The Mouse, Dock Worker, Crazy Girl.
North Precinct officers, acting on months of residents’ observations, obtained a search warrant to raid the house before dawn Tuesday. With the Special Emergency Reaction Team, they swept in early with a heavy presence, awakening the whole neighborhood.
Christie Casey said she heard a “flash blast” about 4:45 a.m., and found numerous police and two SERT vehicles outside the suspected drug house, across from the home she shares with her 91-year-old mother.
“They completely illuminated the house and showed up in force,” Casey said. She watched the action from her front porch. “It was quite entertaining.”
“The whole neighborhood was thrilled to pieces that police took action,” said her mother, Irene Casey. “All the neighborhood knew what was going on. The cars were back and forth, back and forth, all day, everyday.”
View full sizeMCSOShari Baron
Sgt. John Birkinbine credited the Overlook community for getting the attention of police. “They were really instrumental in rallying support in the neighborhood,” Birkinbine said. “They were committed over the long haul and continued to encourage us.”
Police arrested six adults and took a 15-year-old into protective custody from the home. Birkinbine said it wasn’t a typical drug house. “They’re all users who live there, and they sell enough to maintain their own habits,” he said.
Christie Casey said the alleged drug activity had been going on for years. “I guess they thought we were deaf, dumb and stupid,” she said.
A.J. Dexter, who lives next door to the suspected drug house, said fights outside in the middle of the night would wake him up, and his car was broken into. There was constant traffic in front. He installed a surveillance camera to protect his home.
Even the mail carrier, Lori Cieloha, said she was aware of the neighborhood’s suspicions. When she delivered mail, she saw people parked outside, sitting nervously behind the wheel. “Joe and Shari are nice, but I don’t approve of the drug activity they’re bringing into the neighborhood,” Cieloha said.
View full sizeMCSOJoseph Baron
Homeowner Joseph Baron, 59, his wife, Shari Baron, 58 and tenant Todd James Christie, 42, were each accused of delivery and possession of heroin and first-degree child neglect. Suzanne Johnson, 36, was accused of possession of heroin. Steven Davis, 34, and Barry Frost, 34, were accused of frequenting a place where controlled substances are used.
Police seized 10.9 grams of heroin, 19.2 grams of marijuana, 190 pills, $4,143 in cash, one sawed-off shotgun and what officers called a boxed meth lab.
The Barons, Johnson, Davis and Frost were all released on their own recognizance with a future court date. The Barons declined comment. Christie remains in custody. The 15-year-old boy was described as the owner’s grandson.
As the occupants were being led away in handcuffs, Christie Casey said she blurted out, “It’s about time!”
