Orange police arrested 17 people yesterday and charged them with possession of cocaine afer staking out a public housing project where 16 people had been arrested in a previous raid.

Orange Police Director Charles Cobbertt said his department and the Essex County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Bureau will continue to arrest drug buyers and sellers at the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Court housing complex on Parrow Street and Wilson Place.

Cobbertt termed the corner a "drug shopping center" and said drug trafficking is so prevalent that "we could go out there right now and arrest another 17 more."

On Jan.12, 16 people where arrested at the same site, he said.

Cobbertt said 16 police officers worked at the location yesterday, watching drug buyers come an go and arresting them after they had purchased cocaine from street dealers.

Cobbertt and acting Police Chief Anthony Benevento have pledged to rid the area of drugs. Cobbertt said yesterday's arrests were slowed down only by a lack of cell space.

Authorities said the buyers are white, black and Hispanic and many come from suburbs like Maplewood, Millburn and South Orange.

Residents at the complex banded together during the summer of 1987 to stand watch at their building doors and keep out dope pushers, users and other undesirables.

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“Reach Back with One Hand and Pull Someone Else Up With You.”

– Charles C. Cobbertt

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