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Fourth Ward resident tells Gastonia council drug house closures and potholes remain urgent problems
Summary
A resident used the public-comment period to urge action on drug houses, road potholes and neighborhood services in Gastonia’s Fourth Ward, naming a specific address where illegal sales are alleged.
A Fourth Ward resident told the Gastonia City Council on April 1 that drug houses and severely damaged streets are harming senior residents and driving down neighborhood quality of life.
Leonard Martin spoke during the public-expression period and reported a recent police action that closed one drug house. He identified a specific remaining address—918 North Cleveland Street (reported verbally in the public comment)—and said fentanyl is being sold there. Martin said the houses draw prostitution and other anti-social activity and described poor street conditions on North Ransom Street, including a pothole he said is at least three feet wide and deep enough to damage vehicles.
Martin asked the council to take action, including holding appointed council members accountable and responding to resident complaints. Mayor Richard Franks asked Martin to confirm the street and Martin specified North Ransom; police or city staff did not respond with enforcement details during the public comment period.
Why it matters: Public commenters identified ongoing public safety and infrastructure problems in a specific neighborhood and asked the council for responsive action. The council’s public-record response was limited to clarifying location and offering follow-up; no formal action was recorded in the meeting minutes on this item.
