Warren program to pay tipsters shuts down dealer, drug house

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Warren is taking on the opioid crisis, paying people for tips that help police track down drug dealers.

It launched the program two weeks ago and police say it's already brought down a drug house. Police launched the People against Illegal Drugs program (PAID) on Oct. 4 to take down drug dealers and to combat the opioid and heroin epidemic. 

Warren police Capt. Robert Ahrens says they received 40 calls the first week.

"We're looking at ways other than standard police practices," said Capt. Robert Ahrens, Warren police. "Something beyond just the officers making arrests on the roads."

The program offers a $500 reward for those tips that lead to search warrants and arrests - and it has already led to an arrest. One tip was investigated and led to the homeowner being arrested.

That tip led police to a drug house on Cyman near Hayden. Undercover police watched the home and quickly caught the dope dealer O'Shea May, seizing crack cocaine, digital scales and $2,000 in cash and two cars.

"We know that he's been selling for a number years," Ahrens said. "So this is a person we are glad to get off the street."

Warren police say when they called the tipster to give him his reward the man wouldn't accept the money, saying he just wanted to help out his city.

"Hopefully people see that this program is working, and that (they can follow) this guy's example and clean up their street and community," Ahrens said.

While Warren police are happy with the quick response, so far Warren neighbors seem pretty impressed.

O'Shea May has a history of drugs and weapons charges, is now charged with possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine. Police say their next catch will be money, well spent.

"It gives people more incentive," one resident said. "To do the right thing."

The phone number for Operation PAID is (586) 574-GUTS or (586) 574-4887.