Resident taking his anti-drug protest to Elkins city officials
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ELKINS -- A city resident is asking Elkins officials to "stand up" and do something about the local drug problem.
David Green began his protest on the sidewalk of 11th Street in Elkins on the morning of Dec. 21, holding a cardboard sign to show his disapproval of illegal drug use and drug dealing.
The sign read, "Meth dealers live here! Honk if u want this stopped!"
Green, who lives on 11th Street, explained at the time that he is concerned for the children in the area, adding that the individuals who are buying and selling drugs in the community are making Elkins a dangerous place to live.
At the most recent Elkins City Council meeting, Green brought his anti-drug campaign before city officials.
"I had an incident at my house a few weeks ago," Green said during the meeting. "I didn't file charges. I had a gun pulled on me in the open street. These people were fighting over a $25 bag of meth that wasn't paid for. When I told them law enforcement was on their way they didn't believe me… They made a joke of it. They're not scared because they do whatever they want."
Green acknowledged that he had been involved in the drug trade in the past.
"I dealt drugs in this town," he told council members. "I paid for that. I did my time. I should've done more time because what I did was wrong. I apologize for that. But I did what I did behind closed doors because I was afraid. I was afraid to do those things on the streets of Elkins, because I was afraid of the officers protecting this city and what they would do to me.
"I'm not saying the officers of this town aren't doing their job (now), and I have no problem with them whatsoever. But I was having a protest over here when I was accosted by a maniac named Opie. I was saying nothing about the man whatsoever, I was protesting guns on our streets, and I was asking the question as to why in our beautiful city they call the place beside the federal building 'Crack Corner.' Have you seen that corner? Just an embarrassment.
"I have 43 years of experience living in this town, and I've lived on both sides," Green said. "I'm scared now. I'm scared, and for me to say that, that means something. I'm not saying the police aren't doing all they can. Every one I've talked to has done what they can, but it's time for Elkins to stand up. It's got to stop."
Green asked council members to help fight the local drug problem.
"These people are making fun of us and they're making us look like fools," he said. "They're making our law enforcement look like fools. I told them that I called law enforcement and they shook themselves at me and said, 'Call the law.'
"Why is it that the criminals in this town on an open street can do that and feel that safe? That's all I have to say tonight."
During Green's protest in December, many people showed their support for his efforts through Facebook posts and by honking their horn as they drove past him holding his sign.