WEIRTON, W.Va.

Weirton City Council heard Monday from concerned residents living in the 33-hundred block of Orchard Street in downtown Weirton.

Several women said they feel threatened and their children are being threatened as well.

"I was walking over to my daughter's friends to get her out of the pool and bring her home and a man I never met before confronted my 7-year-old and threatened to shoot her up, what do I do?," said one woman.

Another added, "They've stabbed a hole in the pool, I've had two cars painted," said another.

A third said that more people would show up and voice their concerns at meetings but people are worried about what might happen to them if they are vocal.

This is the same area where police made 15 arrests on July 3, and police have made several arrests since that time.

City attorney Vince Gurrera said he understands why these people might be coming forward now.

"They saw the arrests, and now they're wondering why these people got arrested and they're out of jail after two or three days. And what we're letting them know is that's because these people haven't been in court yet. They haven't been dealt their punishment and the those people will be punished when they're found guilty," said Gurrera.

As of July 1, the city issued a no tolerance policy andthe police chief reiterated that during the meeting.

"If you're downtown and you're breaking the law, you're going to jail," said Bruce Marshall.

Councilman George Ash represents that neighborhood and said he is taking those concerns seriously.

"When residents are threatened, it has to stop. When children are threatened, it has to stop. We can't allow these things to go on," said Ash.

While there is a heavy police presence in that area with officers on patrol in cruisers, bicycles and on foot, he said residents can take action too by filing a report.

"If they do those things, sooner or later these people will get irritated and maybe they'll move. Hopefully they'll move. Where I don't care, just as along as they quit bothering the residents that live here," said Ash.