Photo: CBS 12
It's made a difference. That's the word from residents of a West Palm Beach neighborhood where police announced a crackdown on drugs and prostitution nearly two months ago.
In early May, West Palm Beach Police said 'Operation Blockbuster' led to the arrests of nearly 30 people and the seizures of guns, drugs and money. The epicenter of the criminal activity was a house on 54th Street near Broadway Avenue.
Denise Smith-Barnes is President of the Pinewood Park Neighborhood Association. She said that while there are still prostitutes in the area, it's nowhere near as bad as it was. She says that before the crackdown it appeared as though somebody was "dropping them off by the bus load."
Police Chief Frank Adderley says they’re not finished cleaning things up and some criminals have tried to get back into the area already, but police have stopped that and made another 35 narcotics arrests since the previous announcement.
The chief says he meets monthly with residents who live in the north end to hear their concerns.