Residents try to push drug dealers out of neighborhood

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The 500 block of Eugene Street near Martin Luther King Jr. has recently come under fire.

Drug dealers pushing heroin is the source of the problem according to residents.

“Heroin is booming in this neighborhood and on this street,” said Rev. Charles Harrison Ten Point Coalition.

Just last week a woman was shot and killed on the block. That murder is shedding light on the drug problem.

Members with the Ten Point Coalition believe the dealers are stashing drugs in many of the neighborhood's vacant homes.

Police are aware of the problem and are patrolling the area heavily, but that hasn't curbed the illegal activity. Some residents are too intimidated to talk.

“It’s not healthy for them (residents) to have a police car in front of their home and tell them what’s going on,” said Harrison.

Neighborhood President Eddie Owens recently confronted some men accused of some illegal activity on Eugene Street.

In return, he was threatened by the group, but that hasn't changed his drive to bring attention to the problem.

“We want to send a message to them that it has to cease,” said Owens.

On Monday, members in the neighborhood will hold a town hall meeting Barnes United Methodist Church at 6 p.m.