Q: What action can we take for suspected drug traffic in the neighborhood? We have been told there is nothing police can do. We would like to know how we can help so police can take proper action?

A: Community members can do plenty to help law enforcement to stamp out drug problems in the area by reporting suspicious activity when they see it.

Officials from North Bend and Coos Bay Police departments, as well as the director of the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team agreed. The public usually makes the best eyes and ears for officers.

If witnesses believe they have a drug house in their neighborhood, they should track the number of vehicles, their license plate numbers, the frequency and duration of visits and any other suspicious traffic, said Coos Bay Police Chief Rodger Craddock. That information can be turned over to Coos Stop Crime, SCINT or any police department with jurisdiction.

“In reality there’s a lot that we can do, we just have to have the information,” Craddock said. “Citizens are our eyes and ears out there.

Search warrants and arrests arise from such tips.

“They happen from concerned citizens calling and taking action on what they’re seeing. That action is reporting it.”

He added that drug activity often brings thefts. Community members who see a rise in such traffic need to keep an eye on their property and an eye out for their neighbors.

SCINT Director Toby Floyd said drug investigations sometimes take longer than expected, but his agency collects data, photographs, license plate numbers and other information from residents to crush a drug operation. Tips can be made via SCINT’s Web site, http://cooscountysheriff.com/SCINT/.

When North Bend Police officers receive drug activity tips, they often increase patrols in a suspicious area, and will do “Knock and Talks,” said Capt. Ron Akers. Drug reports also are shared with SCINT.

“Officers go there and knock on the door and tell of them their suspicions and ask if they can do a search,” Akers said. “It’s one way of confronting it head on. If they feel like the police (are) watching them, they may curb their illegal activities.”

It also can clear up suspicions, Akers said. For example, what may appear to be the home of a drug dealer with a bunch of customers, could really be the home of a popular teenager.

North Bend Police, along with Coos Bay and other agencies, are holding on a local version of National Night Out on Aug. 5. The annual event is designed to increase crime and drug prevention awareness and support for anti-crime programs by bringing police and the community together.

“The bottom line is the police will not ignore suspected drug activity. It may take time to resolve, but we will do our best to attempt to address any illegal activities going on in a neighborhood,” Akers said.

— Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer