Crack! Ecstasy! Filth! A Report On Raids And Other Official Actions Against Problem Properties

Photos By A Citizen Volunteer

All credit for the information and photos in this blog post goes to a brave volunteer citizen who not only provided this info, but has been forced to live for years with this dangerous nonsense. According to this citizen, drugs were found in the recent raid on 2207 6th St. N., including...

...crack, ecstasy and marijuana. Quantities are unknown. A handgun was also found.

According to the citizen volunteer, "It is...my understanding that because of the filthy conditions within the house, inspections will be paying them a visit soon. I guess grandma still seems to feel her grandson (16 years old) is a good boy despite the fact he has been arrested 22 times for narcotics and weapons."

Further, he writes, "I was also informed of the following from CCP/Safe: The Assistant County Attorney has been made aware of the address and will be sending a 'Notice of Nuisance' to the owner. If the problems continue and are not resolved, the County Attorney may file a complaint in the district court that could, among other remedies, result in enjoining the use of the building for any purpose for one year."

The volunteer provided a link to the law in question, click here. He notes there is nothing in the law requiring some kind of "warning letter" to the property owner, and he would prefer to see a complaint filed IMMEDIATELY. The house in question has "terrorized this neighborhood for too many years" and his feeling is "kick 'em all out." Folks in the neighborhood are ready to submit Community Impact Statements if asked.

614 22nd Ave. and 2230 6th St. N.

In addition to the raid on 2207 6th St. N., information has come to my citizen volunteer about possible resolutions with two other problem properties.

In regard to 614 22nd Ave. N., "I just learned the other day this one is in foreclosure with a redemption date of some time in early December fast approaching. Without a doubt, this has been our most longstanding owner-occupied House From Hell. Grandma's kids and grand kids have been dealing out of the house and all around the neighborhood for at least 10 years.

A couple of years ago, one of the grandchildren threatened to kill my neighbor and her family. Luckily, the police took the threat seriously. He was arrested, spent some time in jail and was ultimately banned from the neighborhood by the courts.

Two other adults living there have a total of around 60 arrests for narcotics, assault, forgery, arson, burglary, theft, etc. The volunteer writes, "Although part of me feels bad about a 76-year-old woman losing her house, I'll still sleep at night."

In regard to 2230 6th St. N., this one may be on its way to condemnation. In the very distant past, this building was a neighborhood store, but someone converted it to a duplex ages ago. Without a doubt, one of our neighborhood's biggest eyesores. The citizen volunteer says, "Ugly buildings attract ugly people." This one has had 25 911 calls in 2007 and 48 in 2008.

According to the housing inspector, as passed on by the citizen volunteer, "Property scored above the condemnation threshold and I have posted it with a letter of intent for condemnation. Property will be condemned after November 23rd if owner does not comply with the outstanding Housing Violations."

All in all...the neighborhood appears to be moving forward. Word that SOMETHING was found in the raid on 2207 6th St. N. is especially good to hear.