The Columbus City Attorney's office, under Zach Klein, has made a robust move to shut down a notorious house in the North Linden neighborhood, which was embroiled in drug activity and violent crime. The city's Property Action Team successfully obtained a court order, enabling law enforcement to board up the premises located at 2801 Atwood Terrace, as reported by NBC4i.
Over roughly three years, the Columbus Division of Police responded routinely to the referred property. The recorded incidents of criminal activities, which numbered around 60 since March 2021, involved assault, burglary, robbery, shots fired, overdoses, and arson. Efforts to covertly purchase crack/cocaine from the house ultimately led to its closure, an operation critical to stopping the illegal flow of narcotics. "Criminals used this property to terrorize the neighborhood and push drugs into our streets," Klein stated in a declaration obtained by ABC6.
Indeed, the action came after consistent pleas from concerned citizens, who had witnessed an incessant traffic of individuals entering and leaving the premises at odd hours. Assistance City Attorney Kenyatta Wilder, a member of the Property Action Team, highlighted the importance of neighborhood cooperation in dealing with such problematic properties. "Neighbors stepped up to say ‘enough is enough,’ and because of that and the great work of the Division of Police and Code Enforcement, this dangerous property is shut down and folks can live without the fear of the violence and criminal activity we saw at that property," Wilder told WBNS.
In addition to its notoriety for crime, the house also had a slew of health and safety code violations that had not been addressed for years. The cumulative effect of the violations compounded the urgency of finally and decisively taking action against the property. By shutting the house down, the Columbus City Attorney's office has taken a stand to not only crush an individual source of drugs but also begin to restore peace in a neighborhood long afflicted by this residuum of crime.
