RESIDENTS TALK DRUG FIGHT STRATEGY

Citizens who want drugs and drug-related crime eradicated from their
neighborhoods came together in a town-meeting style gathering, that has
become an frequent event in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The meeting was held last night in the American Legion in San Leon.

Local law enforcement officers and city officials spoke about the area's
problems and some solutions that are being done to keep crime off the
streets and clean up the dilapidated buildings.

Most citizens at the meeting said they have seen improvements in the
community, however most were in agreement that more work needs to be done.

Steve Hoyland, who organized the first community meeting last September,
touts the combined efforts of citizens and city officials as the reason for
improvements in the area.

"The police can't do it, we can't do it, we all have to do it together,"
Hoyland said.

Sheriff Gean Leonard said during the meeting, "The problem has not gone
away and will not go away... There are contributing factors which we don't
control."

Leonard said, "When it comes to law enforcement, we do our jobs, but we
must be sure to include our state representatives and our congressmen."

During the meeting Dr. Mike Magliolo, San Leon resident, said, "The
Sheriff's department has done good. I'd like to see things move a little
faster."

"It's not perfect, but I'm happier than I was in September," Magliolo.

One of the problems citizens expressed concern about in September was empty
or abandoned houses that were allegedly used as crack houses.

With the help of the Galveston County Health Department Nuisance and
Abatement Officer, Garret Foskit, county residents are working to clean up
or tear down these alleged "crack houses."

Hoyland said of Foskit, "This is a problem area and he is working very hard."

Foskit said the Health Department gives the owners of the run-down
properties to take care of the problem before they handle the situation.
Clearing an abandoned building can often take a long time, but the area has
seen visible changes, according to Foskit.

Hoyland said members of the community have been working to clean up their
neighborhoods by helping elderly and disadvantaged residents maintain their
homes and clean up their properties.

The community has also put forth an effort to place house numbers on homes
in the area.

Many local houses lacked visible address numbers, according to Hoyland, and
it was creating a problem for law officers who needed to locate a residence.

Fred Gundermann, from San Leon, said he came to the meeting because he
believes the thefts in his neighborhood are related to a drug problem in
the area. Gundermann said,"It's gotten better in the last six months."
"We've seen them (deputies) on patrol more often," he said.

Ron Maxey, from San Leon, said he came to the meeting because his son, who
lives out of state is addicted to drugs, and "I want to help this area,
even though it doesn't help my son, because it's an epidemic."

Maxey said he in addition to cleaning up the area he would like to see more
places where people who are addicted to drugs can receive affordable or
possibly free treatment.