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Pandemic challenges law enforcement

County saw more homicides, fatal drug overdoses in 2020, DA tells chamber

The coronavirus pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to law enforcement in 2020, Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks told members of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club on Thursday via Zoom.

“In 2020, we had more homicides here than in the previous 10 years. The number of fatal drug overdose deaths increased in 2020 as a result of the pandemic and the imposed lockdown by the governor,” Weeks said.

The influx of drugs has been a big part of the problem.

Weeks said the problem spiked after the end of mandatory sentencing in 2013.

“We have seen an influx of pure and cheap heroin and a dramatic increase in drug overdose deaths. In 2018, we saw a massive rise in methamphetamine that continues to plague our community,” Weeks said.

Weeks said the adverse effect of methamphetamine caused a problem for the community and law enforcement. “Those people on meth become paranoid and violent, which creates a bigger challenge because they are noncompliant,” he said.

Operation Our Town, which was formed by the business community in 2006 to combat the influx of drugs into the area, has played a key role, but more help is needed, Weeks said.

“Financial contributions are appreciated. You can also stand up for law enforcement in the face of a media frenzy and a frenzy in Washington, D.C., opposed to law and order. It has become popular to criticize the efforts of both police and Operation Our Town,” Weeks said. “I am here to tell you there are numerous investigations we have been able to complete with the resources provided by the community. As a drug prosecutor, I saw the toll on families that drug trafficking and drug use takes.”

Blair County is at a crossroads.

He asked: “Do we continue to be a bulwark against drug trafficking?

“Now is the time to stand our ground. We need to make it clear crime will not be tolerated. We need to step in and say, ‘What can I do to make our community safe?’ In order to stem the tide, we need to remain a united community,” Weeks said.

Chamber President/CEO Joe Hurd thanked Operation Our Town for “being a guiding force for the community.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

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