ANTI-DRUG MEETING PLANNED FOR SAN LEON

Community members, who have been working hard to get rid of drugs and
and drug-related crime in their communities, are seeing their efforts
pay off.

Galveston County residents will hold a meeting on Thursday, Mar. 4, at
the San Leon American Legion Hall at 1402 FM 517 to discuss continuing
improvement in the community.

Steve Hoyland, one of the chief organizers of the meeting said police
officers, Sheriff's deputies and local and state lawmakers have been
invited to discuss the progress in their community, and ways to
continue the improvements.

Hoyland said Sheriff's deputy Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo will speak about
community involvement in law enforcement.

In September of last year, the community held a similar meeting to
discuss what could be done to solve what they said was a rampant drug
problem in their area.

Since the meeting, the community members as well as local law
enforcement, have worked together on various solutions.

Hoyland said the community has worked with the Galveston County
nuisance and abatement department of the the Galveston County Health
District, to tear down dilapidated buildings that are often sites of
drug-related crime. "We've cleared up about 50 crack houses," Hoyland
said.

Hoyland said the community has also developed a neighborhood watch
program that meets once a month and worked with the law enforcement to
publish names of suspects arrested for possession of illegal substances.

Galveston County Sheriff's Office responded to the community's concern
by setting up a 24-hour toll-free crime tip line where citizens can
report any criminal or suspicious activity. The number is
1-866-248-TIPPS.

The Sheriff's Office also worked with the State Fire Marshal's Office,
the Galveston County Health District, and Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Commission to inspect businesses in the unincorporated area for
building, fire and safety and alcohol and health code violations in
response to citizen complaints.

"There's a lot happening," Hoyland said.

About a month after the first meeting, several Galveston County
residents who were interviewed said they had already seen
improvements.

Pat Billingsley, the owner and operator of a hardware store in
Bacliff, said she saw less crime and more officers patrolling the streets.

A local business owner who attended the first meeting because he
noticed criminal activity at a business across from his shop said he
has seen "ninety percent" less crime since the meeting.