After years of violence, drug sales, and death investigations, citizens will soon see much-needed changes at a Roxboro motel.
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, Person County Superior Court Judge Cindy Sturgis signed a consent judgment for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against Padmavati 2021 Inc., Harmanbhai and Shakuntlaben Patel, the property owners of Timberland Motel, located at 720 North Madison Boulevard, Roxboro, North Carolina.
“ALE is committed to assisting local communities and other law enforcement agencies through the use of North Carolina’s Nuisance Abatement laws, which provides civil remedies to eliminate problematic locations,” said Bryan House, Director of ALE. “We hope this partnership between ALE, the Roxboro Police Department and the property owners will create lasting change.”
This judgment concludes a civil nuisance abatement case brought by the Roxboro Police Department on behalf of the State of North Carolina. Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes defines “nuisance” activities and provides for a civil remedy to abate such criminal acts and their detrimental impacts on the community.
“This lawsuit and subsequent judgment should provide much-needed relief for the City of Roxboro. For too long, this motel earned a reputation as a haven for criminal activity,” said Roxboro Police Chief David L. Hess. “I encourage all other hotel owners and landlords to carefully screen who they allow to stay on their properties. The Roxboro Police Department will be vigilant with our efforts to curb criminal activity, regardless of where it occurs in the city or who it involves.”
This judgment permanently prohibits the property owners from operating or maintaining a public nuisance at this location, or anywhere within North Carolina. Under the terms of the consent judgment, the property may never be used for illegal activity. It also imposes a more thorough screening process for guests. Only bonafide guests may have access to the property, while all unwelcome guests are trespassed. If the property owner does not follow the conditions in the agreement, the property could be subject to forfeiture.
The community can expect to see increased police presence on the property to ensure compliance with the provisions of the order.
Alcohol Law Enforcement Nuisance Abatement Team partners with local law enforcement and community members to conduct thorough investigations utilizing Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes. In a statement, Roxboro Police Captain Chris Dickerson said, “We extend our sincerest appreciation to our partners with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Nuisance Abatement Team for their assistance to assist with nuisance abatement procedures for this property to improve the quality of life for our community.”