A Neighborhood Takes A Big Step in Fighting Back

By Justin Foss, Reporter

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By Justin Foss

Story Created: Jul 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2009 at 9:10 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - For weeks, police and community leaders have put ending crime on the shoulders of neighborhoods.

The message has been simple. Pipe up and don't let criminals work next door, is the message police have been saying for decades.

Residents in Wellington Heights responded Friday night after calling police because they smelled chemicals coming from 1552 7th Ave SE.

"I think its a start actually, if more people will step up and call the police when they see things, I think we can clean up this neighborhood," said neighbor Tommi Hester.

Arrested were: Hooker Wayne Richey - meth related charges and outstanding warrants on traffic charges.
Christy Glassford - Disorderly house and meth related charges
Patricia Benters - Disorderly house and meth related charges
Timothy Nelson - Disorderly house and meth related charges
Roberta Layman - Disorderly house
Tara Tomasello - Disorderly house

There is a lot of clean up in Wellington Heights. Yes, that Wellington Heights neighborhood. Residents there say they've gotten a bad name as a dangerous neighborhood. They say it's a label unfairly applied, citing troubles across the entire city.

"It's a community problem, and somethings that go on, are some things that we are all responsible to take care of and make sure it doesn't happen again," said Terry Bisland, President of the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association.

Neighbors say they weren't surprised by the arrests, that's because just weeks ago the police were here right in front of the house removing what they were told was an abandoned car, full of meth making materials inside.

"I've been hearing more and more form the neighbors that we don't want to take it anymore, we don't want these people living in our blocks, and we wanna feel safe in our neighborhood," said Hester.

Involvement works, the people on this block say the proof is in Friday's arrests.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com

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