Chief: Crimes Being Committed By People Feeding Drug Habits

About 50 people gathered at Nashua City Hall for a town hall-style session on the spike in crime -- particularly armed robberies.

Chief John Seusing told the group, which included several aldermen and police commissioners, that reducing the current crime wave is a high priority for the police department.

Of the 24 armed robberies committed in Nashua so far this year, police have cleared 10 of them, Seusing said, a "significant" percentage.

"Why so many? I don't have the answer, but based on my experience, these crimes are being committed, not because people need money to pay bills, but because they need money to feed their drug addiction."

Seusing said drug arrests have significantly increased over the past few years, a combination of more focused police work, and more people addicted to drugs.

Alderman Lori Wilshire asked Seusing what the public can do to help police.

"This last robbery, at Jeannotte's, really hit home for a lot of people, said Wilshire, of the Armed robbery at the city's oldest stores in The north end of the city.

Seusing said police rely on the public being observant, and not hesitating to be involved, whether in reporting crime or joining a neighborhood watch group.

Police Commissioner Thomas Pappas said that with the advanced technology and crime mapping being used by police, tracking crime with tips from residents can and has led to arrests.

Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja brought up the growing trend of prescription drug abuse.

We all know about illegal drugs, but I think the piece about prescription drugs is puzzling to a lot of us," Melizzi-Golja said.

The quest for prescription drugs is what leads to many residential burglaries, adding that most households likely have some of these desirable drugs.

"Often the problem lies right on your own medicine cabinet, You have to have your eyes wide open," Seusing said.

He said in terms of illegal drugs, according to his drug unit, there is no particular drug that is circulating more than others, but that there has definitely been an increase in arrests involving heroin.

The open discussion was requested by aldermen as more residents expressed concern over what has been difficult year in terms of violent crime, including homicides, robberies and burglaries.

Seusing said despite beefing up "boots on the ground" by adding police officers to the force, the two officers recently aded to the payroll have not made a significant difference.

The time it takes to hire and train new officers means it's months before a new officer is in place on the beat.

"I will tell you, frankly, You could give me 10 more policemen and I would keep them very, very, very busy," Seusing said.

He added that one ripple effect of increased crime is costly.

" we were notified by the city that for July and August we've already expensed 25 percent of our overtime budget, Seusing said.

He mentioned that for example, the double homicide on Newbury Street cost upwards of $50,000 in overtime.