The Reality of Today: A Disturbing Incident in Our City

This past Thursday, a fentanyl lab was raided on Lorain Rd. in Fairview Park—just down the road from where I live. It’s shocking and unsettling to realize that something so dangerous was operating right under our noses. This wasn’t hidden away in some abandoned warehouse in Cleveland. No, it was right in the heart of our community, next to one of the most popular restaurants in the area.

It was in a storefront that children walk or ride their bikes past on their way to school.

As I drove by, I caught a glimpse of the scene: first responders in jackets marked DEA, others in full hazmat suits. Every ambulance and fire truck in the city was there, lights flashing—sending a clear message. This was serious.

I’ve watched enough news reports to know how lethal fentanyl is. A dose the size of a few grains of salt can be deadly. And now, it was here. Right here. I couldn’t shake the thought: How could this be happening in Fairview?

The Hard Reality of the Opioid Crisis

This drug bust is just one incident in a much larger crisis. According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, the numbers paint a grim picture from January 2024 through September 2024:

• Victims’ ages range from under 16 to 70 years old.

• Both men and women have fallen victim.

• 230 people have died from heroin, fentanyl, or combinations.

• When factoring in cocaine and meth, the September 2024 total reached 338 fatalities.

This epidemic doesn’t discriminate. It’s in every neighborhood, in every income bracket. It’s happening in quiet suburbs and big cities alike. A quick Google search reveals similar busts across Ohio and the entire country.

Yet, until Thursday, I hadn’t fully grasped just how close to home this crisis was.

Why This Matters to All of Us

Last month, in my newsletter, I wrote about The Lost Art of Pinochle—and What It Says About Us:

Some things quietly disappear before we even realize they’re gone—block parties, front-yard friendships, the simple joy of a card game that once brought people together.

When my wife and I moved to Fairview Park, expecting our first child, I noticed how different the neighborhood felt from the one I grew up in—fewer kids outside, fewer spontaneous gatherings. It made me think about traditions that once shaped our lives, like my parents’ ritual of playing Pinochle with friends. It wasn’t just about the game—it was about connection, laughter, and time spent together, something that seems harder to come by today.

With in-person socializing down 30% and loneliness on the rise, I can’t help but wonder: Have we traded deep, meaningful moments for the illusion of connection through screens? Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s a reminder that some traditions—like sitting across from a friend, sharing stories over a deck of cards—are worth bringing back.

And then this happened. And it reinforced—perfectly—the importance of getting to know your neighbors. Not just as a friendly gesture, but as something essential. That message feels even more urgent now. We tend to think of our communities as safe, as places where things like this don’t happen. But the truth is, crime, addiction, and struggle don’t stay confined to certain zip codes. The best way to combat this is through strong, connected communities.

• Know your neighbors.

• Look out for each other.

• Be aware of the signs that something is wrong, or someone is in need of help.

Moving Forward

As we reflect on how things used to be, let’s also focus on the present. Let’s make an effort to reconnect, to be vigilant, and to strengthen the ties that hold our neighborhoods together—not just for nostalgia’s sake, but for our safety, our well-being, and our future.

We can’t change the world, but we can decide how we respond today. Choose connection over isolation, awareness over ignorance, and action over indifference. Because no matter how much the world changes, one thing remains true—a strong community is our best defense.

So the next time you get an invitation for a front-yard happy hour or a block party—don’t just blow it off. Bring a beverage, a lawn chair, and a snack to share. Stop and say hello. This incident made one thing clear to me: Getting acquainted with your neighbors is a good thing. And maybe, just maybe, it’s more important now than ever before.

Now for some great news my (much) older brother Tom Rath will be joining me at Dennis Rath Home Sellers. Tom is a great addition to the company and he like me has come to the realization that all real estate is local and the overhead cost of a national franchise is no longer needed.