SPINDALE, N.C. — In response to ongoing criminal activities and numerous community complaints, Spindale Police Chief Chad Nazlerod sought the aid of the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) to tackle illegal activities at 162 Grose Street in Spindale. This collaboration followed a series of offenses that raised concerns among residents.
The investigation into the property uncovered a troubling history of illegal drug use, including substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, and cocaine. The site had also been linked to drug-related overdoses, gunfire incidents, and disturbances, which not only burdened local law enforcement but also adversely affected the surrounding community by increasing calls for police, fire, and medical services.
As a result of the joint investigation by ALE and the Spindale Police Department, and with the assistance of a family member of the property owner, Superior Court Judge J. Thomas Davis issued two consent judgments along with a final order of abatements on September 28. This marked the conclusion of the nuisance abatement investigation initiated by the Spindale Police Department on behalf of the state of North Carolina.
Terms of Court Order
The court’s ruling mandates that the current resident vacate the property permanently. Additionally, the property is required to be put up for sale, with restrictions preventing both the former tenant and the owner from residing within a 50-mile radius of the location.
Role of ALE in Nuisance Abatement
ALE’s Nuisance Abatement Team focuses on properties linked to ongoing criminal behavior and recommends civil enforcement actions in accordance with Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes. This chapter outlines what constitutes nuisance activities, which include drug-related crimes, recurring violence, and violations related to Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
The statute provides communities with a civil pathway to address these harmful activities and mitigate their negative impacts.
About the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division
The Alcohol Law Enforcement Division is the primary agency overseeing North Carolina’s laws regarding alcoholic beverages, gambling, lotteries, and tobacco. It holds significant authority over nuisance abatement statutes and is staffed by specially trained agents who are certified paralegals, enabling them to conduct thorough investigations into nuisance properties.
Source: N.C. Department of Public Safety
