COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Columbus announced it boarded up a property known for crime and drug activity on the city's west side.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced the city's property action team was able to get a court order to shut down a house located at 467 S. Richardson Ave. in the Hilltop neighborhood.
The Columbus Division of Police has been called to the house multiple in the past few years.
Court records say since January 2021, police received about 52 calls for service, including 11 calls for burglary and 14 drug/narcotic complaints.
In March 2021, police conducted controlled purchases of suspected narcotics at the house. A month later, police received reports of drug sales, prostitution and firearms at the property. Police executed a search warrant at the house where officers found apparent narcotics, including heroin and cocaine. They also found marijuana.
Two years later, in June 2023, a caller told police that the "guy just got out of jail and is back at it." Police would take several more calls over the next several months about traffic picking up at the residence. In one particular instance, a caller said there were 20 cars in a 10-minute period.
On Aug. 5, 2024, police were called to the house a dead person, apparent narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Shortly after, city officials boarded up open or broken doors and windows. An inspection later on found the property was once again unsecured with what appeared to be unauthorized people getting into the house.
“The City is committed to shutting down hubs of criminal activity like this problem property that posed a serious threat to public safety,” said Senior Assistant City Attorney Robert Doersam. “We continue to urge residents and concerned neighbors who see something to say something so that we can take action to clean up these properties and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”