3 Lafayette drug busts in a week, all due to community tips
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – Lafayette police are on pace to have a record number of drug busts this year. But officers say without the public’s help, it wouldn’t be possible.
In fact, three busts just this week came from tips from neighbors.
Edward Matthys was arrested yesterday in a second marijuana grow operation this week.
Danielle Richardson was arrested Wednesday. Police found 49 marijuana plants in her home.
Ivory Lockett was arrested for dealing drugs near a gas station.
“That’s crazy,” said Amanda Yoakum who lives near Richardson. “It just seems like there would be people in and out of their house constantly or, you know, somebody would notice something.”
Lafayette Police Lt. Brian Gossard said somebody did notice something.
A neighbor reported the smell, and it lead police to the arrest of 37-year-old Richardson.
“Recently, we’ve seen a lot of tips come in,” said Gossard. “Especially, about drug abuse, and drug dealing and those investigations have been very successful.”
So successful in fact, LPD is ahead of schedule this year for drug arrests. The department is approaching 30 percent of its total last year and it’s only mid-March.
Gossard said it’s likely because more community members are calling in with tips.
The social media site Nextdoor has seen a record number of members. It allows neighbors to talk about suspicious activity in the area and report tips to police.
“We’re about to crack 7,000 members on Nextdoor just within the city of Lafayette,” said Gossard.
He said more community involvement is the only way to solve the city’s drug and crime problem, and the fact they’ve received more tips this year is promising.
“Hopefully, over the long term, those initial drug arrests will lead to a decrease in both violent crime and property crime,” said Gossard. “We just know that drug use and dealing is a source of a lot, the majority, of our crime in the city.”
Lt. Gossard hopes to keep up the momentum.
If you notice any suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, you are encouraged to sign up for Nextdoor to report it or call Lafayette Police at 765-807-1200.
