After a long history of disturbances, search warrants, drug violations and calls to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, the Meadowbrook community has cooperated with the Sheriff’s Office to ensure their children and families are safer. On February 16, 2023, Lenoir County Superior Court Judge Imelda J. Pate signed a consent judgment for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against the property owner of 615 Darden Drive, Lenoir.
This judgment was the final step in a civil nuisance abatement case brought by the County of Lenoir on behalf of the State of North Carolina and represented by legal counsel Ron Lawrence. 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.
“This address has been a problem for years, causing the Meadowbrook community to live in fear and constantly draining emergency services, law enforcement resources,” said Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers. “This remedy is a result of an outstanding investigation between Lenoir County officials and members of the ALE Nuisance Abatement Team.”
All parties were able to reach a consent judgment that called for the property to be turned over to Joyce Taylor, a responsible family member, allowing the property to remain in this family. This consent forged an agreement detailing the future intended use of the property, which forbids future nuisance-related activities, restricts it from being used as a rental and bans the current occupants indefinitely from ever going on the property. All current occupants will be removed from the property no later than March 31, 2023.
Sheriff Rogers expressed his gratitude for the effort and outcome. “I appreciate the cooperation from this family as we worked to solve this problem and reach a successful resolution for all parties involved. I also commend the citizens of this community for partnering with law enforcement to ensure the community returns to a peaceful life.”
"The nuisance abatement law provides a solution to problem locations that strain law enforcement resources and reduce the quality of life for others,” said Scottie Shoaf, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team. “North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement values the partnership with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office and the County Attorney, to bring a permanent resolution to this problem and embrace the positive changes this judgment will facilitate in the community.”
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