Nanticoke Police Department

Nanticoke police revamp entry team to combat rising drug issues
The Nanticoke Police Department is looking to fight back amid rising drug problems in the city, but the department is in need of the community's help.
Author: Melissa Steininger – WNEP-TV
Published: 5:36 PM EST February 24, 2025
Updated: 5:36 PM EST February 24, 2025

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NANTICOKE, Pa. — Police say flashing lights have become a common sight in Nanticoke, Luzerne County.
Patrolman Kyle Beilecki grew up in the same city he now serves. "Even when I was a little kid, my mom would let me walk from the Hanover section to the high school. She didn't care. You can't do that now," says Beilecki.
The Nanticoke City Police Department says officers are responding to an increasing number of calls, about 13,000 a year, and making roughly two to three drug arrests every week. Beilecki says they’re fed up with fentanyl.
"You're pedaling drugs to possibly minors and even other people and ruining lives—it's not okay with any of us. We're sick of it, for lack of better terms. It's just seeing the downfall of good people in town," says Beilecki.
With the need for more drug raids comes the concern for those running toward danger.
"I'm going through this doorway, and I don't know what's on the other side. Even if you do know what's on the other side, it is unpredictable. Anyone can do anything at any moment," says Beilecki.
Because of this, Beilecki is in charge of bringing back the Nanticoke Entry Team.
Like a SWAT team, the specialized unit responds to high-risk situations like drug raids and warrants.
"We're trying to make a culture change in the community so they don't see us as the boogeyman all the time. But some people should see us as the boogeyman, and those people are going to get pushed out," says Beilecki.
The team started about 20 years ago but faded over the years. Beilecki hopes a newly formed Nanticoke Entry Team can bring back the same success it once had.
"They did a lot of good with it. When I was growing up, I remember seeing them doing raids. I remember skateboarding at the school and seeing them hit a house and pull a bunch of narcotics off the street," says Beilecki.
While Beilecki has the support of six officers interested in joining the team and the department behind him, he can’t do it alone. That’s why he’s asking the community for donations.
"These are steel plates with spall-proof coating on them. You're still going to feel it, you're still going down, but it's not going through," says Beilecki.
He says the specialty tactical gear needed costs upwards of $35,000.
"There's no second-guessing, it's just, I'm going to go, and whatever happens, happens. But I know I feel good about what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and what I'm wearing to do it. I'm happy to go in," says Beilecki.
The group also hopes to add a K-9 to the force, increasing costs closer to $120,000, pushing forward Beilecki’s promise to protect and serve the place he grew up calling home.
"Knowing this exists might deter people from doing something different, and that can only help the community. They may think twice about pulling the gun," says Beilecki.
The department is accepting monetary donations for a K9, gear, personal protective equipment, training, and medical equipment to get the NET team up and running.