This three-story row house was operating as an illegal rooming house. When the owner died, a family member took control of the property. The property did not have running water or electricity and neighbors complained to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) about odors emanating from the property. MPD informed the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the complaint and data was collected which revealed that there were 27 calls for service relating to this property during a six-month period and eight drug-related arrests within the past five years.
In an effort to resolve these issues, the Neighborhood Services Coordinator, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the CORE team attempted to work with the owner. The owner refused to cooperate and another interested famly member was contacted and informed of the status of the property. This individual agreed to allow the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) to enter and inspect the property for illegal activity. Before the site visit could take place and as a result of the pressure that had been applied, the occupants voluntarily vacated the property which allowed DCRA to board and secure it. The interested family member has filed suit to obtain ownership of the property and plans to renovate it for occupancy
