After two homicides, countless years and a long history of disturbances, drug violations and numerous calls to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the Quarters community should soon see long awaited changes.
On Thursday, Dec. 15, Superior Court Judge R. Roupe signed a consent judgment for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against several properties on Carlon Road, Longwood.
This judgment concludes a civil nuisance abatement case brought by the District Attorney’s Office 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.
According to the Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram, this lawsuit and subsequent judgment should provide much needed relief for this community. “These addresses have been a detriment to this community for years. The owners have resided outside of North Carolina and have been unfamiliar with the detriment these properties have caused. Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office working together with Alcohol Law Enforcement’s Nuisance Abatement Team has been able to positively impact our community and restore peace to the citizens,” said Sheriff Ingram.
This judgment permanently prohibits the property owner, occupants, and any future owners of the property, from operating or maintaining a public nuisance at this location, or anywhere within the jurisdiction of the State of North Carolina. Under the terms of this consent judgment, one dwelling on the properties shall be removed. Only one tenant can reside on the properties. If the property owner and operator do not follow the conditions in the judgment, the property could be subject to forfeiture.
“It is generally the case that crime occurs randomly and at different locations.” said District Attorney Jon David. “However, when multiple acts of violence and drug dealing are observed around the same property, we have the opportunity to address the underlying environment and potentially reduce future incidents. I am grateful to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and the Nuisance Abatement Team with ALE for aggressively working this crime hotspot in the Quarters area. Thanks to their hard work and investigation, the property owners agreed to take significant remedial action to clean up this magnet of criminality.”
Sheriff Ingram expressed his gratitude for the effort and outcome. “This is much needed for the Longwood community to help rebuild our community and law enforcement relationships. I appreciate the communities support working with law enforcement on this investigation and helping ensure the long-time residents in this community can return to the status quo. We can only reach successful resolutions by working together.” said Ingram.
"The nuisance abatement law provides remedies for problem locations that strain law enforcement resources and cause communities to live in fear,” said Scottie Shoaf, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team. “I hope this brings a positive change for residents living in this community. These residents have resided in the Quarters community of Longwood for years and should not have to live in fear inside of their own residences.”