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West Easton’s mayor and council members have been given easier access to contact Northampton County DA John Morganelli, who understands that State Police are limited in responding to complaints of suspected criminal activity.

When DA John Morganelli spoke to members of Council in his effort to eventually reach all communities in Northampton County about assistance his office can provide with crime problems, he made a point to note that information from residents plays an important role in starting an investigation and making arrests.

He knows that residents often inform council members of their concerns about suspicious activity in their neighborhood, which is why he is reaching out to the legislative bodies of local communities.

In recent months some residents have approached council members and the mayor about suspected drug activity. With State Police having limited resources to conduct investigations, the feeling of “nothing will be done” has been a concern to all.

In response to my question about residents having suspicions of possible drug dealing happening in the borough, Mr. Morganelli made it clear that his office is available to assist and he has the resources that can look into the suspected criminal activity.

His office can take appropriate measures to clean up the problem, if found to actually exist, but Mr. Morganelli would require as much information as possible.

Using drug activity as an example, you can forward your concern to Mayor DePaul or any member of council, but you should provide as much detail as possible with your suspicion.

Numerous cars coming and going at odd hours, or only “visiting” for a few minutes before departing? Odd smell from the residence that you think might be drug related, such as a noxious odor that a meth lab would produce?

You can help correct the problem by providing details, rather than just a broad brush “belief” that criminal activity is happening.

While it is stressed that you should not confront the individual(s), or perform investigatory acts to verify your suspicions, you can assist Mr. Morganelli’s office by noting times when suspicious activity seems to happen more frequently. You can make copies of security cameras your home might have, that recorded the visits of suspicious characters. Descriptions of visitors and cars might be useful.

Your notes and information can then be given to anyone on Council, or even to our Borough Manager. A request from West Easton would then be made directly to Mr. Morganelli to look into the matter.

According to Mr. Morganelli, he can then assign a detective to investigate Should the information appear to have merit further steps could be taken, which might include surveillance. If confirmed as a likely drug dealing or manufacturing location, measures would follow that would eventually lead to arrests.

There is also a “Submit A Tip” contact page for the DA’s Drug Task Force. You can submit a tip by clicking HERE.