Murphy – The N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division conducted a nuisance abatement of 61 W. Hollow St. after prolonged and continuous criminal violations, drug overdoses and community complaints.
Murphy Police Chief Tim Lominac requested a civil nuisance abatement that resulted in a joint law enforcement investigation. Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers signed a consent judgment and final order of abatement for this property.
The judgment concluded a civil nuisance abatement investigation brought by the Town of Murphy on behalf of the state.
Chapter 19 of the N.C. General Statutes defines nuisance activities, which include, in part, crimes involving drug laws, recurring violence, and breaches of the peace. It also provides for a civil remedy to abate such criminal acts and their detrimental impacts on the community.
The terms of the consent judgment called for the property to be turned over to a responsible family member. The property will remain vacant, and all additional structures will be removed within 90 days. The judgment also forged an agreement detailing the future intended use of the property and forbids future nuisance-related activities on the property.
All trespassers who go onto the property will be arrested and criminally charged.
“The nuisance abatement law is a valuable tool that provides remedies for locations consistently associated with criminal activity and harm to communities,” said Bryan House, director of N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement. “I’m grateful for our strong partnership with the Murphy Police Department and the citizens of this community.”
This is the third ALE abatement action in Cherokee County over the past two years, including a residence and lot in Andrews and a large plot of land and buildings in Martins Creek. Both properties were deeded over to Cherokee County Schools, which has worked to sell the properties as surplus.