Drug dealing within our gates

Police hands are tied. Unless a crime happens in front of their eyes, it doesn't happen. Camera footage may help with a court case if charges were brought. Otherwise, until the police see an actual "hand-off" or make a deal themselves undercover, not much can happen. Just keep calling the police. This isn't a HOA responsiblity for illegal activity. Just call the police to handle.

I will also note. We have a city here that if someone is convicted of drug dealing, their home is condemned by the city. You may check locally your city's stance. My brother lived in an apartment that the other side dealt drugs. The building was a converted garage owner cut in half for 2 apartments. The entire building was condemned even though my brother had not a thing to do with drugs. (He was more likely the guy who called it in...)

It may help to educate the neighbourhood on signs of drug dealing so if they do call the police they have useful information (starting with dates and times). I did a Google search that pulled up severable and you could also viscosity your police department to see what sort of stuff comes up regularly in your community.

Post an article in your community newsletter or website - You don't have to say "we are concerned that the people in unit 12 are dealing meth". You can state that the board will publish tips from the police on crime prevention (and do it), starting with possible signs of drug dealing. That's one way these people will get the message the neighbors are on to them.

To wit - A few years ago, one of the rental units in my community was the subject of complaints because all sorts of people were stopping by all day and all night, nothing up our limited parking space. One neighbor came to a board meeting and complained about it, and after some discussion, our security officers (also off duty cops) said they'd stop by and talk to the tenant. The property manager also sent a friendly reminder to the owner/landlord.

It so happened the live in girlfriend of one of the tenants was there (she'd had a question about the lawn care or something), and after hearing all this, she said her boyfriend was in the music business and that's why he had so many visitors, but she'd talk to him. A few weeks later, they moved out. I don't know if they really were in the music business, the drug dealing business, or both, but it solved the problem.

Thanks everyone! Some good advice here for sure. Much appreciated. I'm definitely going the squeaky wheel approach. I actually caught a break last night when one of my neighbor's known accomplices showed up and parked in a fire lane. HPD came out and although the car was gone when they arrived, they took a full statement including makes/models/plates of all known accomplices. I think it helped that the car that was illegally parked had fake plates (HPD ran them right there). So now I at least have an incident report to reference when I go into the local precinct to file a report and submit video (assuming they'll accept it), notify the Sherriff's office, and contact our local council member.

Crime stoppers is also fairly popular in Texas. Influential people often sit on its local boards. It might take interest in your concerns.

I think Shlia has some very good ideas about educating your residents for you, Arthur.

Arthur,

I would continue to quietly report suspicious activity to the police department even if it means not using 9-1-1 and just calling the station. Besides, the police will not tell you they are interested in the activity even if they are very much interested. If you are in smaller town, they may already know and don't wish to possess anything belonging you (a 3rd party) that becomes part of their case. Odds are that you don't want this either.

Much like an HOA complaint, the person filing a complaint is not subject to being included in the HOA response to the offender.