Drug dealer in "C" class neighborhood, how to get rid of them?

Question

I househack a quadplex in a "C" class area. The area is quiet for the most part. We have teachers, groceries employees, and handyman, etc. But, there is one house in the neighborhood where a drug dealer lives. They play loud music in their car and have shady people park there all the time. People are coming and going at all hours of the day. I want to get rid of them.

How can I go about doing that safely?

Also, are there drug dealers in "C" and "B" class area?

How can I go about doing that safely?

Also, are there drug dealers in "C" and "B" class area?

Account Closed · Answer

I've been there, done that a few times. Drug dealers vary. If it's the typical, "I just want to be left alone and do my own thing" type, you call the cops for every violation you can find. That interrupts the dealer's business and eventually you are costing him too much money for him to stick around. I once sent a Navy recruiting brochure to the home of the parents of one such drug dealer and explained that the guy can do 4 years in the navy or 24 in state pen. I'm not sure what happened but I never saw hm again.

If the dealer is proud to show his "heat", and all of his compatriots bring their knives and guns to the place, you probably are better off to sell and move on. It will take years to clear that up and the house will have a reputation for dealing so people will keep coming around for a long time. You can be a hero and take them on or you can be an investor and move along. Go where the money is and where the risk is low. My motto is: "If bullets are flyin' I ain't buyin'"

James Wise · Answer

This is a police issue. Contact the police and let them do their job. Don't get involved.

Robert Hernandez · Answer

@Dennis M. @Theresa Harris First time owning a rental or a home at all. So this took me by surprise, I know it is lower income area so I should not be.

@Chris Szepessy did the cops respond when you called them? Was there a regular patrol? I have no intention to buy the property next door, it's actually nicer than mine and probably won't be a good deal to buy since it's won't be at a discount price if I buy it. Can I get him arrested?

Account Closed I'd probably sell a few years down the line. The drug dealer in question is a thug, he doesn't show he heat. But, I'm sure he has weapons of some sort just being it's the drug business. The drug dealer isn't with his parents or anything, it's a grown man that is a thug. If I call the cops will I be a target?

Angelo Mart · Answer

Don't get involved. My properties are in D class areas run by gangs. I would NEVER get involved leave it up to the police or neighbors. Additionally, there are Drug Dealers in A B C & D areas regardless.

Joe P. · Answer

@Chris Szepessy sorry to say, I think that is bad advice.

You want to take an indirect problem to the landlord and tenant (crime, lower property values, nuisance) and turn it into a DIRECT problem to the landlord by buying the property and trying to evict people who don't care for the law? And put a face/name to the person directly interrupting their so-called "business"? Uh...wouldn't recommend that.

This is a police matter, analogous to other neighborhoods dealing with a similar issue, I'm sure. It's far safer to keep your distance and report what you can, when you can.

I think you'd be pressed to find one sane landlord who would consider buying that property directly. At best its a headache, at worst...well, it could get pretty ugly.

Marc Winter · Answer

@James Wise gives good counsel on this one.  Keep calling the Police, the local Drug Enforcement Agency, the county District Attorney, and on up the line.  Get the fax numbers of all agencies in your City Hall and County legislature and fax all of them your complaints.

Make some squeaky sounds and someone in authority will notice and take action--that or they will think you are a rat and try to squash you.  Either way beats living next to a druggie/dealer.

Stay safe.

Chris Szepessy · Answer

The police did respond, every time. Not all my calls were for drugs...some were for fights, throwing garbage in my yard, noise complaints, etc. I felt bad calling all the time and they probably hated me for it, but for what I pay in taxes, I expect to live in a decent area. I was mostly hoping that the police would get in contact with the owner and hopefully have them evicted, which is why I was so persistent. And patrol never increased during this time (which surprised me), but I was the only person in the neighborhood complaining, so they may have thought I was just being petty and making stuff up because I didn't like them. If you can get others in the area to help you file complaints, it might make a difference. But like others stated, this can be quite common in lower class areas and it's possible the police are aware of it and just have bigger things to worry about. I wish you luck!

Stephen A Binion · Answer

I had a tenant who’s son had a string of 5 minute visits.  I took dad and son to lunch. I explained that I’m not gonna involve the police if it stops today.  I told the kid to have his customers call and meet him at the Sunoco station a half mile away.

End of the problem for me.

I’d get in touch with the owner.  County tax records will tell you who owns the house. Take the owner to lunch.

If the dealer owns the house have that same lunch with a narcotics detective.  Offer to pay for a cellular game camera so that he could monitor the comings and goings from that house.

Kris Bolzniak · Answer

How do you know they are dealing? Call the police if you have proof.

John Teachout · Answer

I had a house where the tenant was complaining about the drug activity related to a nearby house. This was a B neighborhood. Not wanting to bring down any repercussions on anyone I had a meeting with a sheriff a few counties away and informed him about the situation and he said he would talk to the sheriff in that county and see what could be done. I never followed up with anyone but the problem went away. I also had a situation many years ago where there was suspicious activity across the street from us (cars coming and going at all times of the day and night and staying for 5 minutes or so) I didn't figure it was an Avon salesperson living there so I shared my findings along with a list of visitor's license plates and that situation also resolved itself. Nowadays we don't live by anyone else so there's no neighbor issues.

Drug dealer in "C" class neighborhood, how to get rid of them?

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