RFP Staff
♦ On Thursday evening a joint sting operation spearheaded by Federal ATF agents, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, and Salisbury Police descended on the Grim Street and West Bank where law enforcement executed several search warrants on houses suspected of drug activity. Room by room searches netted drugs and weapons.
During the operation Grim and West were blocked off by law enforcement vehicles. Neighbors could hear doors being kicked in and saw men in handcuffs being led to law enforcement vehicles. The raid began swiftly and ended within minutes as dozens of law enforcement officer swarmed the area. Neighbors were questioned.
The West End neighborhood was terrorized for weeks with a series of shootings on Grim Street. In recent weeks West End neighbors and community activist William Peeples brought increasing heat down on city hall and spoke up during public commentary periods for the lack of adequate police patrol in the area. Tonight the anger bore fruit. Its said that more Salisbury Police are being seen in an area now notorious for violence and drugs. Better lighting is said to be on the way.
According to police sources assaults in the West End neighborhood were up 73% compared to April 2013.
Earlier this afternoon William Peoples told the Rowan Free Press of the neighborhood’s need for increased police presence and now for the time being they are getting it. The recent shootings on Grim Street were getting Salisbury a lot of attention.
Be thankful that the West End has citizens like William Peeples and Carolyn Rice unafraid to speak out.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
