(**UPDATE 8-a.m. 2/25…meeting to take place at the Bridgewater Community Center)… An event set to take place Tuesday, Feb. 28th, in Bridgewater, is aimed at curbing the proliferation of methamphetamine use in the community. Organizers say the “Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa” campaign began to take root after some citizens were outraged over someone spray painting the word “Meth” and an arrow pointing toward Bridgewater, on a county road rock storage pile at the intersection of Highway 92 and the Bridgewater Road.

The Mission Statement for the community-based effort is “Working in partnership with citizens to address criminal activity and improve the quality of life in and around Bridgewater.” A Facebook page has been set up with the same goal in mind.

County Road rock pile near Bridgewater (Photo submitted)

The organizational meeting is tentatively set for 7-p.m. Tuesday, at the Bridgewater Community Center** (Old Elementary School) 605 North Main Street in Bridgewater). The first meeting is to designed organize and develop a strategy, with a later public meeting to be held in order to moderate discussions and further plan actions for the group.

Agenda for the organizational meeting will be as follows: Introduction; State initiative purpose; Determine citizen interest; Establish initiative leadership; Establish action direction; Discussion on next public meeting; Adjournment

Additional information can be found on the “Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa” Facebook page.