Police business took up its share of the Tamaqua Borough Council meeting this week.

Police Chief Rick Weaver spoke about the increase in drug traffic in the area in answer to concerns voiced by Michelle Mehallic of the South Ward Playground Association.Mehallic informed council that the playground is closed and locked and will remain that way for at least the winter months."When there's no adult supervision, the playground becomes a meeting place for drug users and dealers. They harass the younger children and leave their drug bags and needles tossed around everywhere on the ground and on the equipment. It's the worst I've ever seen," she said."I've done what I could, even offering to testify against these criminals, but I'm told there's not much that can be done without hard proof. I can't be there 24 hours a day to chase them away," Mehallic tearfully told council.She also told council of the destruction of the playground's security cameras. "They've spray painted the lenses and turned them to the sky so they can't be recorded," she explained. "Something needs to be done about these drug addicts. One girl from Cherry Street gets so stoned she jumps out in front of traffic. We almost hit her the other day. If someone did, who would be at fault? Even if the druggie is the one at fault, the driver has to live with the fact they hit a pedestrian."And what about the kids going to and from school? They see these drug deals going down every day and nothing being done. The playground is a bus stop area, but it's sure not a drug-free school zone area. The drug activity is out of control and I just can't deal with it alone," she pleaded.Weaver said Tamaqua, as well as the surrounding communities, has seen an increase in drug use, especially heroin."Our officers have been working on it, but we need solid evidence to take to court. Drug work is labor and time intensive, meaning lots of overtime. We don't have the manpower or the budget to do as much as we would like. We work with the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, but Tamaqua isn't the only place in the county that has a drug problem. We need the public's help to win this fight. When you see something, please call us."Mehallic replied that she would, but said, "Most drug deals take five to 10 minutes. When the cops are on the other side of town, it takes longer than that for them to arrive. We need to stop those deals from happening."The chief agreed and will speak to the drug task force to see what can be done.Tamaqua officials are also warning residents to be on the lookout for a white pickup whose driver is stealing trash. The driver of the truck was seen picking up several bags of trash that had been placed curbside for pickup. He is not an employee of the borough's trash hauler, Tamaqua Transfer and Recycling.Officials are concerned that someone is searching through the trash in an attempt to commit identity fraud. Trucks used by the borough's trash hauler are all visibly marked.Weaver advises residents to shred any paperwork containing private information, such as social security and/or bank account/credit card numbers. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call police at 570-668-6100 or 570-668-5000.Two part-time officers were also hired. Lynn York II was hired on Monday night after completing his MOPEC training. Mayor Chris Morrison administered the oath of office to York and fellow newcomer Bryce Lewis at the end of council's business meeting.