Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Gene Kennedy reportingOvernight, police try to put a dent in a dangerous trend. Drug officers are seeing more and more crack cocaine in Salt Lake City. It's a problem that won't go away.
Shazaaye Puebla, Neighbor: "It's a very big problem, it causes everything from violence to prostitution."
According to drug agents, in some parts of the valley crack cocaine is a bigger problem than methamphetamine. Police are fighting an uphill battle trying to get it out of neighborhoods, one drug house at a time.
Salt Lake City is where crack cocaine is a big problem, especially the downtown area. According to narcotics agents, it's the easiest drug to get in the city.
This morning, police found themselves in a spot they've been in many times, busting suspects and getting drugs out of a neighborhood.
Shazaaye Puebla, Neighbor: "Last night I was sleeping and heard a loud bang. When we came out here there were police, and it's good to see them cleaning up the neighborhood."
There are a lot neighborhoods under police radar these days where drugs find a home. Night after night suspects get hauled off in cuffs. Overnight, two men were arrested at a home off 800 South. According to police, they were dealing crack cocaine.
Sgt. Ryan Atack, Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "We've actually seized three times the amount of crack this year as methamphetamine, so it's definitely becoming a trend."
It's the number one drug for sale at Pioneer Park, a frequent stop for undercover drug busts. The park was a hot spot for these dealers, according to police.
Neighbors hope with the men in cuffs it will help curb the domino effect of problems that come with crack cocaine.
Shazaaye Puebla, Neighbor: "You'll find it's linked to a lot of dirty stuff."
Sgt. Ryan Atack, Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "Individuals addicted to crack cocaine have to re-up because the high only lasts a certain amount of time, a half hour to 45 minutes. We see a lot of property crimes associated with the crack cocaine additions."
Catheryn Whitaker, Neighbor: "I've heard the street has a bad reputation. I will be relieved to see the reputation cleaned up because we like this place, and I plan on staying here for a long time."
What police find is what has been so prevalent on America's coasts is now becoming popular here in Salt Lake City.
Night after night drug agents make these busts, but continue to find themselves very busy.
