MEMPHIS, TN – Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton, Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Monday, on the first day of the school year for Memphis City Schools, that the Memphis Police Department and the D.A.’s Office had closed 21 alleged drug houses, each within a half mile from a school, under the Tennessee nuisance law. The nuisance actions are the result of “Operation Safe Crossing,” a city-wide joint operation to reduce crime around school areas. The properties on which the Memphis police and the D.A.’s Office focused were within close proximity to schools and where the sale and use of illegal drugs, namely crack cocaine, frequently occurred.
The Environmental Court issued temporary injunctions against the owners of the properties. (The list of properties closed and the names of the schools within one-half mile of the properties is attached to this release.)
“Operation Safe Crossing” coincides with the launch of Operation Blue CRUSH™ Phase II. In addition to drug activity, “Operation Safe Crossing” also focused on prostitution and other criminal activity near schools. The operation also included a large police presence and extra patrols near school campuses.
The Mayor, Director and District Attorney made the announcement in front of two alleged drug houses located at 1334 and 1342 Kerr Avenue—less than 400 feet from Hamilton Middle School and less than .3 miles from Hamilton Elementary School. According to the petition filed to close these properties, undercover officers purchased crack cocaine from individuals inside the houses on at least eight occasions. Additionally, officers in the Undercover Operations Unit have, on multiple occasions, observed traffic and other activities at this location consistent with drug activity. The petition alleges that numerous other crimes are facilitated and encouraged by the drug activity occurring at these houses, including at least two felony arrests for narcotics sales this year.
“This operation and the nuisance actions are in direct response to citizens’ complaints about drug dealers, prostitution and crime committed right in front of our children. As a result of these actions, thousands of students will be able to go to and from school under safer conditions,” said District Attorney Gibbons.
“The Memphis Police Department maintains its commitment to protecting our citizens. Children have a right to feel safe and protected as they attend school daily,” said Director Godwin.
“Public safety and quality education are top priorities. They are essential to quality of life in any city. It is our duty to do all we can to ensure our children can walk to and from school without the fear of encountering criminal activity. This initiative is another positive step towards making our city safer for all citizens,” said Mayor Herenton.
As a result of undercover operations by the Memphis Police Department since the start of Operation Blue CRUSH™, the D.A.’s Office has filed nuisance actions against more than 80 locations. District Attorney Gibbons noted that under Blue CRUSH™ the number of drug indictments from the state Grand Jury for Shelby County has increased by about 50 percent in the past three years—from 3,238 in 2003 to 4,886 in 2006.
“Operation Safe Crossing” extended to various neighborhoods throughout Memphis and focused on drug trafficking, prostitution and overall crime near schools.
Tennessee law states that the District Attorney General has authority to bring a civil action against any establishment deemed a nuisance. The statute defines a nuisance, in part, as “any place in or upon which… unlawful sale of any regulated legend drug, narcotic or other controlled substance…quarrelling, drunkenness, fighting, or breaches of the peace are carried on or permitted.”
The District Attorney’s Office, working with investigations by the Memphis Police Department and as part of Operation Blue CRUSH™, has filed nuisance petitions against the owners of numerous properties—both residential and businesses—under the Tennessee nuisance law. Some nuisance actions have resulted in permanent closure of the properties. Others have reopened under consent orders to alleviate the nuisance. |