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Warren family concerned with crime on street

Talked to councilman about recent activity at neighbor’s house

Staff photo / Raymond L. Smith Frederick and Lynnette Taddei stand on their front porch on Belmont Avenue NW.

WARREN — Fred and Lynnette Taddei simply want to feel safe in the home they’ve lived in for more than 31 years.

The couple raised children in 182 Belmont Ave. NW. But in the last year, they have experienced a growing concern about possible criminal activity in the properties surrounding them.

“We’ve talked to our councilman and even went to a council meeting earlier this year, but nothing has been done,” said Jonathan Taddei, whose parents lives in the home.

The younger Taddei complained about regular activities occurring in 192 Belmont Ave. that have caused his parents to be concerned for their safety.

POLICE CALLS

According to police records, officers were sent to 192 Belmont for service calls five times in 2020 and three times in 2019. Among the calls:

• Officers were called to the house Jan. 31, 2019, after neighbors counted 75 cars going in and out of the driveway of the house. The police report stated possible drug activity was occurring.

• On Feb. 9, officers were sent to 192 Belmont to serve warrants. When officers entered the house, they observed numerous narcotic items left out in plain view, according to the report.

• Trumbull County 911 was called Feb. 15, in reference to loud music and cars always being in the shared driveway of the Taddei house and 192 Belmont.

• On March 29, a pregnant woman reported being assaulted outside of the house by a known female, according to police records.

THE OWNER

George W. Papalas, who owns 192 Belmont, said he has owned the housed for more than 30 years.

“They don’t like the people living there,” Papalas said of the Taddeis. “If I am made aware of a drug problem, I will call the drug task force myself. I’ve done it in the past.”

The Taddeis have asked Papalas to have it repaired.

But Papalas said he talked to city health department officials and has taken care of everything he has been asked to address, including grass cutting and gutters.

Papalas said the couple has a problem because of the shared driveway.

“I can’t evict someone because of a driveway,” he said. “What am I supposed to do?”

CITY RESPONSE

After a complaint to former Safety Service Director Enzo Cantalamessa, Jonathan Taddei said activities slowed for a short period, but they recently picked up.

“Everyone is talking about taking back Warren,” Taddei said. “They should clean up the homes in the city that have illegal activities happening in them. My parents complained, and they are being bullied.”

Councilman Alford Novak, D-2nd Ward, said he talked to the Taddei family about its concerns and had the family speak to city council about the issue earlier this year.

They met with Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert and a police representative.

“I had not heard from them since that time,” Novak said. “I thought they were taken care of.”

Novak said the Taddei family is not the only family in the area concerned about possible drug and criminal activities.

“There are a number of drug houses,” Novak said. “They are renting homes and are bouncing from one house to another.”

Cantalamessa, who is now law director, said he spoke with the property owner to make him aware of suspected activity happening at the house.

“If it persisted, the property ran the risk of being declared a nuisance, which could be subject to abatement,” Cantalamessa said.

Colbert said the information provided by the Taddei family has been turned over to the Street Crimes unit.

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