Lehighton resident asks to increase hours for narcotics officer

A Lehighton resident has asked the police department to increase the narcotics officer’s hours to deal with the drug epidemic.

Caryl Valdez told borough council on Monday that she believes the department needs “to up the narcotics officer’s hours.”

“He needs more hours,” Valdez said. “Lehighton’s got a big problem.”

Valdez told council the issue isn’t only where she lives.

“It’s everywhere,” she said. “It needs to be addressed.”

Mayor Clark Ritter assured Valdez the police department is aware of the situation.

“We understand the problem,” Ritter said. “We’re doing the best we can.”

Valdez again asked if there was any way the narcotics officer can get more hours.

Police Chief Brian Biechy said the narcotics officer works a minimum of 20 hours, but that when the department is full-staffed, he gets more.

“The flood of the problem is bigger than the band aids we can put on it,” Biechy said.

Biechy assured Valdez that police were working on the problem, and that they are aware of it.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky lauded Valdez for having the courage to discuss the matter in public.

“Thank you for coming and addressing the issue,” Abelovsky said.