Special Project: Is Pottstown Becoming More Dangerous?

Editor’s note:  Nice job, Evan.  Make sure you read the whole article because this is a good news, bad news piece.  Crime is still a problem in Pottstown.

POTTSTOWN, PA – Crime is not up in Pottstown, at least not according to the numbers.

Crime in the borough last year was, in nearly all categories, below the borough’s 10-year average, according to a Mercury analysis of crime statistics provided by the Pottstown Police Department.

The numbers of serious crimes like murder, rape and arson have remained relatively flat since 2005, and in addition, the statistics show that 2014 saw 13 percent fewer major crimes and a decrease of more than 16 percent in all reportable crimes.

Pottstown has not had more than two murders per year since 2007.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20150308/special-project-is-pottstown-becoming-more-dangerous

Drug Ring Out Of Pottstown’s Bright Hope Knocked Out

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN — Juvenile burglars who tipped off police on the alleged drug runners they robbed led to the complete shutdown of a drug ring which once operated out of Bright Hope Village in Pottstown and had been investigated for more than a year.

Five people were arrested for allegedly trafficking heroin, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine in both Montgomery and Philadelphia counties since at least 2013, according to a release from Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele.

Edward Tillman was arrested and accused of being the ring-leader. Anisha Harris, 31, Johnathan Jackson, 24, Melvin Hampton, 44, and Teresa Hiller, age not given, were all arrested and accused of being his associates in the organization.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140521/drug-ring-out-of-pottstowns-bright-hope-knocked-out