New Stanton officials have turned to the Westmoreland County district attorney's office for help with a hotel that they say is a hotbed of criminal activity.

Council President Scott Sistek and members said they want something to be done about crimes they attribute to guests at the Budget Inn on East Byers Avenue.

State police, county detectives and others have made numerous arrests for alleged drug activity at the hotel during the past few years. The borough of about 2,200 people does not have a police force and relies on state police for protection.

“It's been an ongoing problem for a number of years,” Sistek said. “We're going to do a little exploring about how the district attorney can help us — increased enforcement or what we can do to remedy the situation.”

Sistek told council this week that he spoke with the district attorney's office but couldn't elaborate because discussions are continuing. He said he has fielded “a few complaints” from residents.

At least one other motel has had criminal activity, including a drug-related homicide in March, in which a man was gunned down in a hallway. But the issues at the Budget Inn have persisted for years, Sistek said.

“We have to take this thing one step at a time,” he said Wednesday.

Navin Patel, the hotel's owner, denied council's claims.

“I say they're wrong,” he said.

People see hotel guests coming and going from his business and think the worst, Patel said.

“The police can come to any room they want. I don't mind. They can talk with any person,” he added.

He declined further comment.

Drug dealers are attracted to New Stanton in part because of its proximity to Interstate 70, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other highways, council members said.

“It's been said many times, we're the hub here, and you read about state police picking up all these drug haulers on the turnpike,” Smith said.

Peck said he believes many of the crimes in New Stanton are committed by “transients.” State police have been asked to patrol the community more frequently, he said.

County Detective Tony Marcocci, who has spent decades investigating drug activity, said a hotel can serve as an ideal base from which to sell drugs or for other criminal activity.

Marcocci said mid- to upper-level drug dealers will station themselves in an area for a while and have “local addicts” sell drugs in exchange for a small amount they need to satisfy their cravings. The practice is called “posting up” or “trapping,” he said.

“The dealers benefit, and the local addicts do all the running,” and the dealers avoid “getting caught by the police,” Marcocci said.

In some cases, “local addicts” will live in a motel, he said.

The amount of New Stanton's alleged drug sales and other crimes varies, as with any community, Marcocci said.

“There have been days when it's been rampant. But there have been days when it slows down a bit,” he said.

Some council members want action taken.

“Does something need to be done? Yes, something needs to be done,” Councilman Tom Smith said.

“One hundred percent, I support it,” longtime Councilman Wilbur Bussard said. “It can't continue, because it's certainly not getting better. I hope Scott can do something about it, or (District Attorney) John Peck or state police.”

Two residents recently approached council about starting a petition drive “to possibly get (the Budget Inn) closed down, just as they do nuisance bars,” Smith said.

To get a judge to declare a business a nuisance requires a detailed accounting of criminal activity there and proof that the owner has made no effort to solve the problems, Peck said.

Bob Stiles is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-6622 or bstiles@tribweb.com.

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