Police demolish crack house

Police continue to keep the city’s heavy equipment busy as this afternoon they knocked down an abandoned building on Sarstoon Street that was being used as a crack house. According to police press officer, G. Michael Reid, the action is part of the department’s plan to keep the pressure on all aspects of the drug trade.

G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer

“These are some derelict houses that the police will be tearing down; this is the first of its kind. What we have identified are several houses that are known to be used as crack houses. Also, with the increasing number of rapes of our young girls in the streets, we know that the criminals use these houses to pull the victims in the houses and have their way. So, certainly what we’re trying to do is remove some of the houses in some of the areas that nobody seems to want to do anything about… In case of this house, it is as you notice, a wooden house and this also poses a fire hazard. Many times in congested areas like these, a fire out of control can cause a lot of damage.”

According to Reid, attempts were made to locate the house’s absentee owner, but they were unsuccessful. He said that under city statutes, the authorities have the legal power to demolish the abandoned structures.