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Worcester mom says people are using, buying drugs on her doorstep

WORCESTER, Mass. — A Worcester mother says drug users and buyers are going their business on her front steps.

Vanessa Lembo and her daughter 4-year-old Molly moved to Sycamore Street in Worcester in August. She knew it wasn't the best neighborhood, but was stunned with what she began to see on the front steps daily.

"The tops of tied off baggies, the end caps of syringes," said Lembo.

She took photos Wednesday and called police, who cleaned up the mess of drug paraphernalia.

Worcester's new rapid-response team says most of their arrests are drug-related and stem from Main Street South, which includes Sycamore Street.

"It has been a constant battle to keep it under control," said Worcester police Lieutenant David Doherty.

Doherty says officers are present in plain sight and plain clothes, but feels arrests won't fix the underlying issue.

"The numbers across the board, across the city are going down. It’s a matter of getting a handle of this opioid epidemic, which drives a lot of the street-level drug trade in our city," said Doherty.

Police records obtained by Boston 25 News show 16 calls for drug violations at Sycamore and Main streets in the past year. Doherty says that's low compared to other areas of Worcester that may have dozens of calls monthly.

As for Lembo, she plans to add lighting, cut down the bushes near her home and report drug use every time she sees it.

"I thought as a mom I could shelter her, but I can't really shelter her from what's happening on my front porch," said Lembo.

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