A year ago, the area surrounding Thomas Street and Avers Avenue was an open-air drug market. After video surveillance and an undercover investigation of the gang's drug operation, police arrested 20 gangmembers and secured the block. Once the block was cleared of gang members, residents organized and started rebuilding their neighborhood. They marched, prayed and formed block clubs to reclaim their streets. Avers block resident Rosetta Guy remembers how difficult it was for residents to move through the neighborhood before the change.
Children can come out and play, and the lots are clean.
I just thank God for good neighbors and good friends. Crime statistics and details of the North Avers story are included in the report. The complete For The Record report is published quarterly, and is available at libraries and on the Internet. All rights reserved. 20 Jan 2000.