Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

AFLEX, Ky. — “This community used to be so nice, it was a safe, wonderful community to raise your children in and you never had to worry about crime,” stated Emma Porter, a resident of Aflex, Ky., who was voicing her concern about the escalating drug traffic and growing crime rate in her neighborhood.

“I guess those days are long gone.”

“I know this is a worldwide problem, I’m well aware of that. But speaking as a 78-year-old woman, I can tell you that there’s not a night that goes by that I don’t have to wrestle with the fears of being broken in on, robbed and possibly killed. It’s only by the grace of the good Lord up above that I sleep at all.”

Porter spoke with the Williamson Daily News in an exclusive interview about what she calls the “goings and comings” of a steady stream of traffic to certain homes near where she lives. The elderly woman said that in any given day, she has noted approximately 15-25 vehicles pulling in to a nearby residence and said the occupants of the cars and trucks will spend somewhere around 5-10 minutes inside, maybe less, and then they leave.

“You can’t tell me anyone that’s not up to no good would have that many people in and out of their house in a day’s time,” remarked Porter. “I have a large family that visits me frequently to check on me and make sure I’m okay and to see if I need anything, and even with all of them making stops here, it doesn’t even begin to compare to what I can sit in my living room and watch take place at the house I’m talking about.”

“There’s been several burglaries and break-ins up here too and I know that elderly people are often the targets of these criminals because number one, they know we’re old and frail and they think we can’t fight them off, and number two, they assume we’re on medication for pain and that’s what they’re looking for – prescription pills, money or something worth a few dollars that they can go pawn.”

The concerned resident stated that she had contacted both the Pike County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) and Pikeville Post 9 of the Kentucky State Police (KSP) with the information concerning the heavy traffic area, and was told it would be placed in the hands of officers working that area.

KSP Post 9 Public Information Officer, Trooper Shaun Little told the Daily News that he wanted to assure the public that every report or tip that is called into their Post is entered into their system and is given to the troopers assigned to that location.

“Our Drug Enforcement Investigation Section of Pikeville Post 9 compiles and uses these tips and matches it to information they may have already received or that gets reported in the future,” stated Trooper Little.

“These investigations take time, there’s a process we have to go through and in most cases, and a lot of hours of work are logged in prior to making an arrest. We greatly appreciate any and all tips concerning suspected drug activity or a location of high traffic areas, this information helps tremendously.”

Little stated that if information has been received for this particular residence, he was confident troopers and detectives were working the case. He added that the safety and security of the public is always the top priority of the KSP, and said that residents of Pike County are urged to come forward with any knowledge they may have about suspicious behavior or happenings in their communities.

“You can call, provide your tips and not give your name,” stated Little. “You can remain anonymous; your identity is not required to be disclosed. The number for Post 9 is 606-433-7711 or 1-800-222-5555.”

Porter concluded her interview by saying she has great respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day serving the needs of the public, and said it makes her rest a little easier after hearing that the KSP takes the tips provided to them seriously.

“I know that every community and neighborhood in the United States has problems with drugs, break-ins and burglaries and I’m just one old woman who has fears that someone will force their way into my home or blow us all up if they’re cooking that meth that I’ve been told has been known to cause a lot of explosions, but I want my voice heard. I want my neighborhood back and I hope and pray that the police will help make that a reality, not just let it remain a pipe dream for all of us.”