Bridgeton resident Melanie Schwartz urges council to investigate spike in Falcon Avenue criminal activity

Melanie Schwartz, a resident of 3626 Falcon Avenue, told the Bridgeton City Council on March 4 that repeated police responses, a recent arrest for a stolen firearm and suspected drug activity have made her neighborhood unsafe.

"As a mother of 2 young children, this is deeply, deeply concerning to me," Schwartz said during the public-comment period. She identified two houses on Falcon Avenue—3590 and 3584 Falcon Avenue—and asked the council to investigate whether concentration of occupants at those properties was tied to the escalation in calls for service.

Mayor said he thanked the police department for their prompt response and told Schwartz that "the police chief, either himself or one of his representatives, maybe the major, will get back with you." The council did not take formal action at the meeting; the mayor’s office and the police department were referenced as the parties who would follow up.

Schwartz said she would not name the property owner during public comment but that the ownership is available in public records. She described repeated responses to domestic-dispute calls, one recent arrest across the street for a stolen gun, and suspected drug activity, and asked the council to consider "possible solutions." The mayor acknowledged the concern and indicated the police department would respond to her request.

Context and next steps: Public-comment remarks do not automatically trigger ordinance changes or enforcement actions; the mayor’s statement indicates the police department is expected to follow up with the resident. The council discussed no new legislation or motions related to the neighborhood during the meeting, although council members later thanked Schwartz for raising the concern and noted officers were speaking with residents.

The council did not set a timeline for the police follow-up during the meeting. The police chief, Mark Massotti, was present at the meeting and later gave a staffing and events update but did not make a public substantive report to the council at that time about any new enforcement actions tied to the Falcon Avenue addresses.

The mayor’s office and the Bridgeton Police Department are the appropriate contacts for residents seeking updates on any investigation or enforcement that may result from Schwartz’s comments.