Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced on Nov. 8 that the city of Columbus obtained a preliminary injunction to shut down a drug house in the Hilltop, located at 673 S. Richardson Ave.
The Columbus Police Department (CPD) has received more than 40 calls for service to the premises since February 2021, including multiple reports of shots fired and drug activity at the premises. CPD executed an order to board up the property.
“Hilltop residents deserve a neighborhood free from drugs and violence, a safe place they can call home, start a business or raise a family,” said Klein. “By shutting this drug house down, we’re disrupting the flow of narcotics into our streets and making the Hilltop safer for residents. I continue to encourage neighbors who see something to say something and contact 311 or law enforcement to get these problem properties shut down.”
According to court documents, the property came to the attention of CPD in 2021, and since then, the property has been the scene of more than 40 calls for service.
In February 2023, CPD received a complaint of 10 gunshots at the premises, and later in March 2023, CPD received a complaint of five shots heard at the premises.
In April 2023, officers responded to a death at the premises from a potential drug overdose.
Multiple reports of shots fired at the home were reported in May 2023, and in August, police received a report of narcotics activity inside the premises. A concerned neighbor indicated that they observed multiple people coming and leaving from the premises, as well as drug paraphernalia and possible prostitution occurring around the property.
Later in August, Columbus detectives made several controlled purchases of crack cocaine from the premises. Police also received a theft report, with the caller stating that $12,000 in property was missing.
In October, CPD received noise complaints and reports of a domestic dispute at the premises.
“Residents alerted us to this dangerous property and we were able to take action, shut this drug house down and improve the quality of life in the neighborhood,” said Assistant City Attorney Zach Gwin. “We continue to send the message that if you own or operate a violent or dangerous property, the City is going to step in and hold you accountable. It’s what residents and families in neighborhoods like the Hilltop and all across Columbus deserve.”
