Prostitution, Drug Activity At 2700 Morgan Ave. North, a.k.a. "The Salmon House"

Stock Photo By John Hoff

So it's about time to spill this all over the blogosphere: prostitution and drug activity at 2700 Morgan Ave. N. has been a concern for a long time among the "Pond People" of the Jordan Neighborhood. Indeed, life "on the pond" is almost perfect and ideal, except for the druggies and prostitutes which tend to congregate at 2700 Morgan Ave. N.

Due to the color of the house, it is known--rather objectively and dispassionately--as the Salmon House. But it's not fish they're smoking inside, baby. 

Back in February of this year, a conversation took place by email between a concerned Jordan resident and a civilian "crime prevention specialist" who serves as something of a point of contact for citizens. Though the conversation started several months ago, it recently picked up again.

Here, I'll let Johnny Northside readers peek at the unedited emails like virtual voyeurs.

Here you go...

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February 25, 2009

Hi (Name of Crime Prevention Specialist)

Can you respond to all of us and tell us as much as you can about this report # from the highlights report 09-046663…. Search warrant at 2700 Morgan. 3 misdemeanor tags issued.

This is a house that causes a fair amount of livability issues around me and my neighbors, whom I have cc'd here.

Thanks.

(Name of Resident)

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The very next day, the police official responded as follows:

February 26, 2009

Hi (Resident),

I know 2700 Morgan has been on the radar for awhile now. Officers were finally able to get a buy (have an informant go to the house and purchase narcotics) out of the house. A search warrant was then done on 02/17/2009 at approximately 1:17 pm.

There were three females inside the residence who were issued citations for disorderly house and one juvenile was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant. Unfortunately the person that the informant stated sold him the drugs was not there. And only some drug paraphernalia including small plastic baggies used to package crack cocaine, and a digital scale were recovered during the warrant. But because the informant purchased a rock of crack cocaine form the address prior to the warrant, we are able to send a Notice of Conduct on Licensed premises to the owner regarding the disorderly house. And hopefully push them to take action in abating the problem. If not, and the illegal conduct continues we can push to have the owners rental licensed revoked.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks,

(Crime Prevention Specialist)
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That same day, the resident replied as follows:

February 26, 2009

(Crime Prevention Specialist), thanks for the info.

I am actually surprised that this police activity was related to drugs, because we are aware of so much prostitution from this house. I suppose the two things go hand in hand, but if you could pass it on to the CRT team that this is an active prostitution house and let them work on that too.

Lately I have noticed that 27th Ave between Penn and James seems to be heavy prostitute traffic, almost everytime I am on that road it seems there is a lady walking and flagging at me, walking backwards to watch me drive away etc etc.

Thanks,

(Resident)
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Three months later, on May 29, 2009, out of the blue the police official send another communication, as follows.

Hi (Resident)

Just wanted to update you regarding 2700 Morgan, because I met with the city attorney yesterday and licensing regarding this address. As I'm sure you are aware the police did do another raid in May, where narcotics were recovered again. I have been out and spoken to the tenant there, and you are correct she is a known prostitute and drug user, who is basically letting people come in and smoke/deal from her house. She told me she is trying to find a new place to live and would be out by the end of the month, but, we are moving to revoke the rental license from the owner also immediately.

Initially this house is in foreclosure with a redemption date in the middle of July. It is owned by Danna D Investors and they are losing a lot of their properties right now due to some financial problems. Hopefully by closing this house down and in the future selling it to a responsible owner will help quiet things down in the neighborhood and make it safer for everyone.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Thanks,

(Civilian Crime Specialist)
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Politely, the resident replied as follows:

Hi (Crime Prevention Specialist),

Thanks so much for getting back to me, I am especially impressed because this a good follow up from an email I sent you several months ago - so thank you big time.

I will share the progress with my neighbors, and I am copying the 5th ward staff because I want them to see your great "customer' service" in action.

If you need anything from us neighbors in regards to this address, please let us know.

Thanks,

(Resident)
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So, dear readers, this is how I look at things: 2700 Morgan Ave. North. This address is kind of like the Jordan Neighborhood's 3020 6th St. N. And, exactly like "3020," it will be resolved the same way: through foreclosure and vacancy as well as steady police action. When 2700 goes down, life on the Jordan Pond (already close to idyllic) will be several steps closer to urban utopia.

The mainstream media has utterly neglected the story of what is going on in NoMi. We are fighting the thugs, we are winning, and we are turning this place into paradise.