I'm getting increasingly upset over how many Detroit drug dealers are causing problems in Huntington.  The murder this week was not very far from my house.  That makes it a huge concern...beyond just for the coverage on our newscasts.  This affects my family personally.  I spoke with the police officers at the scene of the double shooting on 10th Avenue this week.  I asked if this was more of the Detroit drug problem and the officer didn't even think twice when he said, "Does it matter if he's from Detroit or Huntington?"

It took me a second to respond because my initial reaction was that I'm sick and tired of Detroit problems coming into my home town.  However, the officer made a very good point.  If a guy is desparate enough...or trying to act like such a big man...that'll he shoot and kill people, then it really doesn't matter if he is local or from out of town.  He's still bringing violence way too close to my house.

The officer said we do have a serious problem with Detroit dealers coming to our region.  However, he said that just makes the media...and people in general...forget about the serious problem we have with the folks who are native to Huntington.  The officer also said it is amazing the reaction they get when they make drug arrests around Hal Greer Boulevard.  If it is an out-of-town dealer, then everyone applauds the police effort.  If it is a dealer from Huntington, he says people yell at the officers and complain that they aren't solving the real problem...which they think is the out-of-town dealers.  It's an interesting view of the world from people who have to live in the midst of the drug dealers and their violence every day.  It's also sad...and very concerning...that this drug dealing and drug killing is going on so close to my house. 

My challenge is for the landlords of Huntington to start questioning who is renting from them.  Let's stop renting to the problem people.  Let's start kicking out tennants who do get in, but then begin causing problems.  Landlords are part of the problem.

Rob Johnson