Connie,
The owner is going to do what is in the economic interest of that owner.
You and your neighbors have to make it more costly for that owner than the
profits from the paraphernalia sales and the bags of chips the users and
dealers buy. Clearly that person is interested in that market share he has
and does not want to lose it.
The best way to get immediate action is a campaign of calls to the health
inspectors, plus an action to challenge their license to sell certain things
such as Tobacco. The City must renew these licenses each year, but you can
start an action to remove it early. That is a good time to get action.
Also notifying the owner of these pending actions.
Take pictures when possible of the illegal activities. Especially take
pictures of the worst of the criminals and give them to the Third Precinct
with a request to "Watch" these dealers closely. Hey, photo safaris are fun.
If one of the criminals threatens you immediately leave the area and return
with a police officer and have the person arrested for the threat.
Have neighbors visit the store as often as possible (with cell phones in
hand) and call EVERY problem in. Remember he or she who calls the most gets
the most police under Code Four. Document, document, document!!! Then call,
call, call! Organize a neighborhood call system where neighbors make three
or more phone calls for every incident witnessed. Call 911 first. Then
call 673-2206, then 673-2209, then call the Chief of Police, then call the
Mayor's office. The last two probably will not get you anyone, but several
determined neighbors can tie up those phone lines until there is a demand
for action. The more documented calls to that business location the more
likely for the City Council Committee to call that license into question.
Perhaps your Council Member can help you. NO, - that was not a joke. If
that Council Member is ineffectual, or has legal concerns of his own, then
contact the Council Member across the street. After all the criminal
activities that may emanate from that business does cross Lake Street. Also
call the Council Member running against your Council Member. A little
competition among three CM's attempting to show they are the most helpful
for your neighbors is not a bad start. I think the Owner being aware that
you and your neighbors fully intend to follow up on this campaign will
change their surliness to "Please! How can we work together?"
Also the County Attorney (call Andy LaFever) being contacted about the
possibility of starting a civil action against the property owner because of
it being a "nuisance property" will likely be a severe wakeup call for the
owner. Sending the property owner a copy of the disorderly house law and CC
ing a copy to the County and City Attorneys informing that owner that this
is notice of such is also an eye opener. Amy is running for Senate, and
that pack down town is running for office. Use that, or you might wait
three more years for action. Remember, we only get nine or ten months of
energetic service from our Council and Mayor every four years and that time
IS now.
Don't waste it!
Jim Graham,
Ventura Village, Sixth Ward
"We can only be what we give ourselves the power to be"
- A Cherokee Feast of Days
The people are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
- Thomas Jefferson
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