We've spent considerable time over the past two years making sure the City has the appropriate tools in place to deal with consistent neighborhood crime and disorder problems. Last Wednesday, I went to southeast Seattle and met with a group of citizens hopping mad about a series of raves at a single venue in their neighborhood. The commander of the south precinct, Captain Mike Nolan, is seated to my left in the photo above. City Attorney Pete Holmes is to my right.
One tool the Council gave our police officers in late 2009 is the Chronic Nuisance Property Ordinance, a powerful law that makes property owners responsible for what happens on their property. The new law has been used effectively to shut down an Aurora motel where crime had flourished for decades and it has prompted other property owners to work with police to resolve continuing problems.
Last week, the Chief of Police declared a property on South Othello Street to be a chronic nuisance. The property owner has pledged to discontinue booking raves at his building. Here's a PDF version of the police declaration letter and the supporting details: Download 2011 04 05 Citadel Chronic Nuisance Declaration