Police work to address rising drug problems

Perkasie police Chief Joseph Gura says the only way the police department can really increase anti-drug efforts is if it first hears about any and all suspicious activity.

“If we don’t see it, it doesn’t happen,” Gura said. “If we don’t hear about it, it didn’t happen.”

Concerns raised at a recent Perkasie Borough Council meeting about what seemed to be increased drug issues in the borough prompted focused attention on the issue. Gura said the police department is aware of the increase because of a spike in thefts ranging from car thefts to the stealing of copper wire from utility poles in the borough.

“Since the price of copper is currently up, we believe that people are stealing the wire to support their drug habits,” Gura said.

The drugs Gura is talking about range from heroin to marijuana to synthetic drugs created from bath salts and incense. Gura also attributed increases in heroin use to the current lower price of the drug. He also cited a prevalent illegal prescription drug problem locally.

The borough used to have a community watch program that “died a slow and quiet death,” according to Gura. Lack of participation ended the previous group, but new council members are pushing to start up a “Town Watch” program again, including councilwoman Florence Frei.

“There’s also efforts under way to get the D.A.R.E. [Drug Abuse Resistance Education] program back under way in the elementary schools,” Gura said.

These are all things the police de- partment is willing to participate in, but Gura said it’s difficult due to understaffing and scheduling, among other reasons.

“Drug investigations are very time consuming and costly,” Gura said, adding the police department had exhausted its 2012 funding from the district attorney’s office and county detectives for drug investigations back in May. He explained the drug investigations are still continuing but he needs to use overtime in order to devote full attention to these issues.

He encouraged any and all citizens aware of any suspicious activity to reach out to the police department, whether it be in a tip with their name on it or anonymously.

“We have always accepted notes jotted down and sent in an envelope without a return address,” Gura said. “lbviously, it’s more helpful to know the source but we want to keep our community safe and just want any and all information we can get.”

The police department is also working on upgrading its computer system, which would better use the police phone system throughout the whole borough. Gura said he is hoping with these improvements they can also add a “Tips Line,” making it easier for community members to get their concerns to the right party.