Coldwater police say a neighborhood laundromat on Central Avenue has become the focus of an uncomfortable investigation, after reports that people were seen engaging in sexual activity inside the business. At least one alleged incident was witnessed by teenagers, according to officers, and investigators are now working to determine whether any indecent exposure or prostitution laws were violated.
Instead of turning wash day into a sideshow on social media, the department is asking residents to treat the shop with respect and share any information or video directly with police, not the internet.
As reported by WREG, Chief Rickey Dandridge said there have been at least two reports in the past month involving the coin laundry on Central Avenue, including one incident seen by teens. He told the station that officers have asked the laundromat owner to install cameras inside the facility to help identify anyone involved in the alleged activity.
Residents who have tips or video can contact the department's tip line at 662-622-7979 or the non-emergency number at 662-560-6465, according to the Coldwater Police Department website. The same page lists Chief Rickey Dandridge and the department's mailing address for anyone who wants to follow up.
Potential charges and what police are looking for
Police say the people involved could face charges including indecent exposure or prostitution, and they are treating the reports as serious business. Dandridge told WREG that the laundromat "is a family-oriented business, not a hotel," and that officers are focused on identifying anyone using the space for what he called improper conduct.
How residents can help
Investigators say the fastest way for neighbors to help is simple: if you saw something or recorded something, hand it to the police instead of posting it online. The department's tip line and non-emergency numbers are listed on the town's police page for anyone who wants to report information, whether anonymously or with their name attached.
