COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Columbus announced on Monday that it has boarded a house near the Weinland Park neighborhood – the first nuisance property to be shut down this year.
The house at 338 Chittenden Ave. received 39 calls relating to violent crime, theft and more than a dozen disturbances for large parties that led to fights and shots being fired.
According to court documents, the city was first made aware of the Chittenden Avenue property in 2021. Since then, Columbus police responded to calls there related to a robbery, a stolen vehicle, a shooting and other disturbances.
Police sent the property owner a letter informing them of their duty to reduce the amount of nuisance activity at the home. Less than two weeks later, officers received a complaint about a large party that a neighbor described as being “out of hand.”
Earlier this month before the home was boarded up, officers heard multiple gunshots coming from the home. When they arrived, there was a party with more than 100 people there. Officers found three casings and a witness said they heard five gunshots at the home.
Police obtained and executed an order to immediately board up the property.
“Neighbors were rightly fed up with the out-of-control partying, violence and shootings at this property. Thanks to the Division of Police and concerned neighbors, this property has been shut down and the neighborhood is safer for it,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
A further hearing on a preliminary injunction in this case is scheduled for Feb. 5 in the Franklin County Environmental Court.