This apartment building was the site of extensive drug activity and numerous arrests prior to the owner’s being put on notice that it had been identified as a drug nuisance property by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In the year before this building was designated a nuisance property, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made twenty-four arrests and executed three search warrants and recovered crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia from the building.

Working with MPD and the Community Prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the owner took numerous steps to help rid the building of drug nuisance activity. He installed security cameras inside and outside the building; he began evicting individuals identified as drug dealers in the building. Residents report that drug activity no longer occurs on the premises. Not only have reports of drug activity in and around the property substantially decreased, but occupants of the building have informed community prosecutors that the owner is consistently involved in maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of the property. Because of cooperation between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, MPD, and the owner of this property, residents and their neighbors are safer and happier.