2. All of the women had drugs in their bodies and histories of arrests and convictions. Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer says he believes their deaths are all tied to the drug trade and prostitution that pervades that area off North Main Street.
RELATED: Two drug deaths from one family. Says mom: ‘It was like living in hell’
Credit: Lynn Hulsey
Credit: Lynn Hulsey
3. Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said he has increased crime-fighting resources in that area and is deploying technology in order to catch criminals. He said all five deaths remain under investigation and he is not able to say if they are connected to each other.
4. The Santa Clara and North Riverdale neighborhoods where four bodies were found was ground zero in the city’s home foreclosure crisis. Neighborhood activist Lynn LaMance said there are so many vacancies there that there is sometimes no one there to see a body being dumped.
RELATED: Vacant houses add to blight, slow recovery efforts
5. Neighbors are fighting back and want others to join them in cleaning up trash, reporting criminal activity, painting over graffiti, and pushing the city and property owners to tear down or rehab vacant structures.
RELATED: Many owners of abandoned homes escape responsibility
Other stories by Lynn Hulsey
As gun debate re-emerges, 7 findings from our recent reporting on gun laws
Inmate feels blessed to have child with her in prison
Local Republican lawmakers trade accusations of ‘political ambition,’ ‘strange insult’
Counties struggle to keep drugs out of their jails
Ohio Supreme Court rules against abortion clinics; What’s local impact?
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