News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 27, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga.---News 12's cameras captured exclusive video as Richmond County deputies converged on a Harrisburg home where there was suspected drug activity.

The move comes as city leaders gathered to open a new Harrisburg deputy substation.

One by one, deputies took people living in Augusta's Harrisburg neighborhood off to jail. At the same time, just a street over, the city opened a new substation.

"It's huge," said Lori Davis. This is huge."

Lori is vice president of the neighborhood association.

"In the beginning it was not that bad," said Lori. "All of a sudden an element came in that just took over."

Drugs and prostitution allegedly plague the community. Deputies have decided to move in.

"I hope it will increase the safety," said Augusta mayor Deke Copenhaver. "To have a law enforcement presence permanently here can't be anything but good for this area of town."

As the city celebrated a new substation in Harrisburg Richmond County deputies executed a drug search warrant. Up to 5 people were expected to go to jail.

"We're working with you," said Col. Gary Powell. "Together we can help clean up your area."

The roundup is perhaps just the beginning.

"There will be people in and out of the neighborhood patrolling," said Col. Powell. "That's what we want...visibility in the neighborhood."

"It just has a trickle down effect," said Margaret Woodard with the Downtown Development Authority. "It will really kick the community into gear."

Not even the substation was safe from vandals who managed to delay the project.

"We ran behind schedule," said Woodard. "Things happened."

But volunteers like Lori pulled together to get the station open.

"I'm going to stay and fight for what's right," said Lori. "Nobody should have to live like this."

Deputies say they got several complaints about the property. They did not find drugs, but they did find drug pipes. The arrests are for possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.