By Cindy Ekas

Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 12:26 a.m.
Updated: Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Bonnie Ray says she is armed with guns and isn't afraid to use them just like the famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley if burglars, thieves and vandals who have been terrorizing Dunbar residents threaten her or her grandchildren.

“If I came out of my house at night and I saw someone, I don't know what I would do,” Ray told Dunbar Borough Council members during Tuesday night's meeting. “When it comes to my grandchildren, I will shoot to kill.”

Ray was one of three women who voiced concerns about the recent crime spree in the borough.

“We just want the borough police to do something about this problem,” Shannon Brame said.

Susan Watson said borough residents are staying up all night because they are afraid vandals will damage their vehicles and thieves will break into their homes.

“Every time we hear a noise, we're going outside to see what's going on,” Watson said. “We're up all night along. We can't live like this. People have jobs during the day, and they aren't getting any sleep. This isn't right.”

Council President Norm Gordon acknowledged that the borough has been plagued by a recent crime spree. Many of the incidents have occurred on Railroad and Church streets, but Gordon said the entire borough has been affected.

“We know there is a crime problem in Dunbar,” Gordon said. “But we don't really know what we can do to stop it.”

Gordon said the borough employs three police officers — full-time Chief Jamie Speelman and part-time Officers Kyle Sneddon and John Lingo.

“Our three police officers can't be everywhere,” Gordon said. “It's impossible for them to keep an eye on everything that is going on in the borough.”

Gordon said council is considering whether to hire another police officer.

In the meantime, Gordon encouraged residents to attend the next crime watch meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

“The people in Dunbar have to get involved if they want to try to crack down on crime in the borough,” Gordon said. “We want to encourage borough residents to try to take back their community from these criminals.”

In other matters, council announced that the borough Halloween parade will be at 3 p.m. Oct. 28, followed by trick-or-treat until 5 p.m. Residents who want to participate are asked to turn on their porch lights.

Cindy Ekas is a freelance writer.

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