Date: February 18, 2002
Contact:
Renee Hoffman
CCPS Public Affairs Director
(919) 733-5027
(ext. 231)
| For Release: Immediate
Date: February 18, 2002 |
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Contact:
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JUDGE ISSUES CONSENT JUDGEMENT IN DURHAM INN NUISANCE CASE |
DURHAM -- Superior Court Judge Ronald L. Stephens has entered a consent judgment against the Durham Inn, located at 507 E. Knox Street, Durham. This judgment is the latest step in a civil nuisance abatement case brought by the City of Durham on behalf of the State of North Carolina.
"This settlement will stop the problems at this location forever," said Assistant City Attorney Patrick Baker. "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 very troubled story."
The property is owned and operated by Peak Properties, Inc. The Durham Inn has a long history of criminal violations and problems, including drug violations, fights, numerous assaults, and many complaints of domestic disturbances.
Under the terms of the judgment, the Durham Inn will close and no business will operate on the property until the current structure is demolished and a new one is built. Additionally, no person can engage in nuisance related criminal activities on the property, regardless of who owns it. Peak Properties, Inc. must pay the costs incurred for the prosecution of this lawsuit. Those costs exceed $1,900.
"The judgment is in the best interest of the general public," said Interim Police Chief Steven Chalmers of the Durham Police Department. "The judgement shows how a community can work together to solve problems. I would like to thank members of my Department, the City Attorney's Office, the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, and the citizens of this neighborhood for their help."
Information for the lawsuit was coordinated by a member of Alcohol Law Enforcement's (A.L.E.) Nuisance Abatement Team at the request of the Durham Police Department.
"The nuisance abatement law provides a tool that local communities can use to stop nuisances for good," said Bryan Beatty, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. A.L.E. is a Division of the Department. "With this acton, the people who live in this neighborhood should be safer than before."
Since its inception in 1994, A.L.E.'s Nuisance Abatement Team has assisted local communities in addressing nuisances at more than 465 properties across the state. The Team is currently investigating about 30-40 locations across North Carolina.
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