In a measure described by Metro Police as "an extreme but necessary action," a South Nashville house has been padlocked and deemed a public nuisance after a history of criminal activities reported at the location. According to WKRN, the operation was carried out Thursday morning on the 4900 block of Shasta Drive, where a stolen 2002 blue Nissan Frontier was found during the search.
BREAKING: Officers right now are taking the rare step of searching & padlocking a South Nashville home, 4912 Shasta Dr, as a public nuisance. "This is an extreme but necessary action for the wellbeing of families living in the Shasta Drive area," Chief John Drake. pic.twitter.com/6gPIHCQWho
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) November 7, 2024
Over the past decade, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has responded to this home for more than 200 calls, leading to roughly 60 arrests with charges ranging from domestic assault to felony gun possession. In a statement obtained by FOX17, Chief John Drake emphasized the action was taken for "the wellbeing of families living in the Shasta Drive area," reflecting the severity of the situation, and noting the owner had been previously warned to cease all criminal activity on the property.
An increase in incidents at the residence continued even after owner William Earnie Allen was urged to stop the illegal activities in a September 2023 meeting with South Precinct Commander Kevin Lovell, with about 47 more episodes unfolding amidst community concerns. Neighbors have been quoted expressing "disgust" over the incidents, as reported by WSMV4.
Allen is now facing a temporary injunction, leading to the padlocking order issued by Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier, and he must appear in court for a preliminary hearing. During the padlocking process, cheers erupted from neighboring residents on the scene, as per WSMV. This enforcement by the MNPD marks only the fifth instance a private residence has been subject to such action under Tennessee’s public nuisance law, noting the last similar occurrence was in February 2020 in Hermitage. Full inspections by the Fire, Codes, and Health Departments are expected to precede the security measures taken against the property.
