After years of disturbances and a long history of drug violations, a recent murder and numerous calls to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, this community should soon see long awaited changes.
On Thursday, August 11, Superior Court Judge Tim Gould signed a consent judgment for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against the properties located on Wildwood Road, Salisbury.
This judgment concludes a civil nuisance abatement case brought by the County of Rowan on behalf of the State of North Carolina. Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes defines “nuisance” activities and provides for a civil remedy to abate such criminal acts and their detrimental impacts on the community.
According to Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten, this lawsuit and subsequent judgment should provide much needed relief for this community. “This address has been a detriment to the community for years. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, working together with Alcohol Law Enforcement’s Nuisance Abatement Team has been able to positively impact our community and restore peace to the citizens,” said Sheriff Auten.
This judgment permanently prohibits the property owner, and any future owners of the property, from operating or maintaining a public nuisance at this location, or anywhere in North Carolina. Under the terms of the consent judgment, the property must be sold and vacated within 48 hours.
Sheriff Auten expressed his gratitude for the effort and outcome. “This is much needed for our community. It has been a pleasure to work with the property owner to return peace back to this community. I appreciate the communities support working with law enforcement on this investigation. We can only reach successful resolutions by working together.”
"The nuisance abatement law provides remedies for problem locations that strain law enforcement resources and cause communities to live in fear,” said Scottie Shoaf, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team. “I hope this brings a positive change for residents living in this community. These residents have been living in fear for far too long.”