Sterling Police knock on the doors of suspected drug houses - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Sterling Police knock on the doors of suspected drug houses

By: Christine Souders

csouders@cbs4qc.com

When it comes to keeping neighborhoods drug free, Sterling Police aren't messing around.

CBS 4 went along with police as they went door to door to clean out crime.

Once a month, police and detectives put together a list of suspected drug houses they get word on from folks in the neighborhood.

Reporter Christine Souders got to go along for the ride to see first hand how these so called "Knock and Talks" go down.

"Let's just go knock on the door and say how you doing," said Lieutenant Doug Fargher.

For the past four months, Sterling Police have been investigating leads of possible drug activity.

"We've have gone to back of houses and found marijuana plants growing right at the back door, in a pot," said Fargher.

Here's how it works.

Police get tips from neighbors who suspect something illegal may be going on at a nearby home.

Lieutenant Doug Fargher let us follow him and his team of detectives as they went to nine possible targets.

"Intel is saying there possibly some cannabis cultivation taking place." Lieutenant Fargher said three out of five times, they get consent to go inside and check things out,

But as you can see that's not always the case.

"They all has the right to say no, but we also had the right say may we talk to you," said Fargher.

One neighbor said she feels safer knowing the cops are following up on leads, "I think their doing a great job. I hope they keep it up and I hope they keep catching them."

But Police are certain they couldn't do it without the help of a watchful community.

"We want the neighborhood to feel like they're doing something and they're part of the solution," said Fargher.

Even though no *big dealers* got busted, a couple tickets were given out, and some drugs taken in, so once again, the knock and talks paid off.

Not all of the houses were solid leads, but police say a dead giveaway is if there's high foot traffic in and out of a residence.

If you live in Sterling, and suspect illegal activity in your neighborhood, you're asked to call the police at 815-632-6600.