After a long history of disturbances, drug violations and countless calls to the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, a Mount Airy neighborhood should soon feel a little safer.
On February 2, 2021, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Angela B. Puckett signed a judgment for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against a Surry County residence, 1988 Fancy Gap Road in Mount Airy.
Chapter 19 of the N.C. General Statutes defines a public nuisance, and allows for a civil remedy to abate such nuisance activities.
The action began in December 2020, when county and state officials alleged the property was an ongoing haven for illegal activity. Due to the action, the defendants and property owners, Brenda Snow and Keith Bean, were banned from ever operating or maintaining a public nuisance anywhere in the State, and on this property indefinitely.
“This location has been a problem for years, constantly draining law enforcement resources and reducing the quality of life for members in this community,” said Surry County Sheriff Steve C. Hiatt. “This remedy is a result of an outstanding investigation between Surry County officials, the property owners and members of the ALE Nuisance Abatement Team.”
The terms of the consent judgement effectually closed the property, and stated it may never be used for illegal activity again. The judgement ordered the property be sold and all proceeds returned to the owners. All persons on the property are to be trespassed by the Surry County Sheriff’s Office. If the conditions in the agreement are not followed, the property could potentially be forfeited.
Sheriff Hiatt expressed gratitude for the effort and outcome.
“I appreciate the cooperation from the property owners as we worked to solve this problem and hope this successful resolution will ensure the community returns to a more peaceful life” said Hiatt.
The investigation and information gathered for this lawsuit was a joint effort between members of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and members of ALE’s Nuisance Abatement Team.
“We are extremely pleased to offer assistance to our law enforcement partners in these nuisance cases,” said Scottie Shoaf, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team. “This judgment brings a much needed change to a community that has been negatively impacted for an extended period of time.”
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