Date: November 22, 2002
Contact:
Patty McQuillan
CCPS Public Affairs Officer
(919) 733-5027
(ext. 232)
| For Release: Immediate
Date: November 22, 2002 |
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Contact:
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JUDGE ISSUES CONSENT JUDGEMENT AGAINST 177 ELM STREET |
FAYETTEVILLE--Superior Court Judge E. Lynn Johnson entered a consent judgement today against the property located at 177 Elm Street, Fayetteville. This judgment is the latest step in a civil nuisance abatement case brought by County Attorney Grainger Barrett on behalf of the State of North Carolina.
The property, owned by Betty Jo Odom, has a history of criminal violations and problems including drug violations, fights, assaults and one fatal shooting. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office also received complaints of prostitutes and drug dealers loitering at 177 Elm Street to conduct business.
“My office has responded to calls and complaints from this place for several years,” said Sheriff Earl “Moose” Butler. “This property is clearly a nuisance, and working together, we are providing a permanent solution for the community. Today’s judgment is in the best interest of the public and we appreciate the cooperation of Ms. Odom in bringing this action to a close.”
Under the terms of the judgment, the property can never be used as a nuisance regardless of who owns it. The property owner also must remove a mobile home from the property. Future owners of the property are also bound by the terms of the court’s order.
“This case was successful because of efforts by all of our team members, and together we have written the last chapter at a place that has a bad story," said attorney Barrett.
Information for the lawsuit was coordinated by a member of Alcohol Law Enforcement’s (ALE) Nuisance Abatement Team at the request of Sheriff Butler.
“The Nuisance Abatement Law provides a tool that local communities can use to stop nuisances at places like these for good,” stated Michael D. Robertson, A.L.E. director. “There is no reason for a nuisance like this to terrorize a community. The nuisance lawsuit will allow us to solve the problem once and for all, and hopefully give the neighbors of this property some peace.”
Since its inception in 1994, ALE’s Nuisance Abatement Team has assisted local communities in addressing nuisances at more than 502 properties and is currently investigating about 20-30 locations across North Carolina. The team specializes in addressing properties that are the state’s most severe sources of criminal activity.
For more information, contact Cpl. T.N. Ray of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 321-6697 or ALE Agent Alan Fields at 1-800-412-1674.
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