Berwick Fights "Methylvania" Problem
By: Mark Hiller
Updated: November 9, 2012
Berwick, Columbia County -- If northeastern and central Pennsylvania has become "Methylvania", Berwick may very well be its meth capital. "At this point it's becoming epidemic," said Berwick Police Chief Ken Strish. He has a theory why his area has seen a dramatic rise in meth labs and meth dump sites in the past year. "The problem is I believe the want is here and that's why perhaps we're having a larger struggle than some of the other communities."
Businessman George Zapata has lived in Berwick the last 16 years and doesn't like what he's seen lately. "All of a sudden you see this influx, you see an influx of meth labs and the drugs... drug busts, drug arrests and it's definitely something that you're like, wow," he said. Others in Berwick feel the same way. "Every time we turn around there's something else in the news about another house busted," said Sherrie Krebs.
A late October attempted robbery investigation led police to a suspected meth lab on Monroe Street. It came the same week police stopped a mobile meth operation on Summerhill Avenue-- adding to an alarming increase in meth arrests since last year. In 2011, Berwick police broke up two meth making operations. Since that time for either a growing meth problem or better law enforcement, police have shut down more than a dozen meth labs -- including one at Chestnut Street and Summerhill Avenue. A meth lab fire at that apartment building in May chased tenants from all four units. It's not the only meth lab raided near the Krebs family home. "Three houses real close to us that you wouldn't think of in a residential area but it's here," said Mrs. Krebs. When asked how it makes her feel knowing that meth making is in her midst she replied, "Scared. Especially as a parent with kids. It's really scary."
The meth problem is a worry as well for Mr. Zapata who owns Georgie Bagels on West Front Street. "It scares me because my son is going to grow up here. My son is going to be here, you know, and where do you go? You know, what do you do?" For Berwick Police, it meant stepping up enforcement since Strish became chief in June. He formed a three-member special operations group. His department is also working closely with state police, the Columbia County D-A's office, the Columbia County Drug Task Force and even the state attorney general's office. "We've been doing a lot more work down in Berwick and Columbia County area, you know, for the past few months," said John Soprano who is Regional Director of the PA Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control.
Chief Strish says even with so many resources, he still needs his community's eyes and ears to win the fight against meth. "We have a lot of knowledge coming in based on many different things. The problem is though we're not there next to that one specific drug house on an everyday basis like the neighbor would be." With increased confidential tips, Chief Strish has a message for meth lab operators. "We're going to be able to shut them down quicker than they can imagine.
Berwick Police Department has just established a confidential information email account. It's tips@berwick-pa.com. Chief Strish hopes it leads to more tips from the public in the fight against meth.
Businessman George Zapata has lived in Berwick the last 16 years and doesn't like what he's seen lately. "All of a sudden you see this influx, you see an influx of meth labs and the drugs... drug busts, drug arrests and it's definitely something that you're like, wow," he said. Others in Berwick feel the same way. "Every time we turn around there's something else in the news about another house busted," said Sherrie Krebs.
A late October attempted robbery investigation led police to a suspected meth lab on Monroe Street. It came the same week police stopped a mobile meth operation on Summerhill Avenue-- adding to an alarming increase in meth arrests since last year. In 2011, Berwick police broke up two meth making operations. Since that time for either a growing meth problem or better law enforcement, police have shut down more than a dozen meth labs -- including one at Chestnut Street and Summerhill Avenue. A meth lab fire at that apartment building in May chased tenants from all four units. It's not the only meth lab raided near the Krebs family home. "Three houses real close to us that you wouldn't think of in a residential area but it's here," said Mrs. Krebs. When asked how it makes her feel knowing that meth making is in her midst she replied, "Scared. Especially as a parent with kids. It's really scary."
The meth problem is a worry as well for Mr. Zapata who owns Georgie Bagels on West Front Street. "It scares me because my son is going to grow up here. My son is going to be here, you know, and where do you go? You know, what do you do?" For Berwick Police, it meant stepping up enforcement since Strish became chief in June. He formed a three-member special operations group. His department is also working closely with state police, the Columbia County D-A's office, the Columbia County Drug Task Force and even the state attorney general's office. "We've been doing a lot more work down in Berwick and Columbia County area, you know, for the past few months," said John Soprano who is Regional Director of the PA Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control.
Chief Strish says even with so many resources, he still needs his community's eyes and ears to win the fight against meth. "We have a lot of knowledge coming in based on many different things. The problem is though we're not there next to that one specific drug house on an everyday basis like the neighbor would be." With increased confidential tips, Chief Strish has a message for meth lab operators. "We're going to be able to shut them down quicker than they can imagine.
Berwick Police Department has just established a confidential information email account. It's tips@berwick-pa.com. Chief Strish hopes it leads to more tips from the public in the fight against meth.
Comments
I don't know who lives at that 13th St.address.Drug people for sure though.People park in the back for a small amount of time.
Kate C.
March 11, 2013 at 2:18 pm
I'm not sure which house it is 225 or 227.
But Vicky Traugh's maiden name was Babb and is the oldest child of Lois (Slusser)Babb.And Wendy Bankes is the daughter of Lois's sister Loretta Bankes and William Babb Sr.They fooled around and the whole family likes to have as many babies as possible as early as they can.Wendy has a daughter that looks innocent and also looks like a model-I think her name is Desiree,and Ryan and Chris are her brothers who have been in trouble for drugs.
The house at 225-227 is on 13th Street!
Kate C.
March 11, 2013 at 2:15 pm
The house at 225-227 has cars stopping by for only minutes if not seconds.I saw one of the men and he looked like a druggie..
Kate C.
March 11, 2013 at 1:59 pm
The paragraph I typed has the word censored for m-e-t-h just to let you know.
Kate C.
February 23, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Kate C.
February 22, 2013 at 10:48 pm
The house at 317 E.8th St.is an abandoned [censored] house-Babb's own it or I should say LOIS Babb who's dead is her house just as the [censored] house on Vine St.I notice the abandoned house at 10th and Pine looks like a [censored] house and now another house at 228 E.14th St.which Mike Lockard owns unless his mom or someone bought it-people come and go dropping stuff off possibly to make [censored]/weed.Zach Babb's dad is Tim Babb and his mom was Jill Hunsinger but I think she is married now.Babb's,Bankes,Slusser and now new children are in on the drug dealings.They have been dealing drugs forever.Just look on Facebook at Mary-Lois Babb and look at the 'friends' list-then you'll see all the relatives and friends!!!
Kate C.
February 22, 2013 at 10:36 pm
