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Residents urge Newton City Council to address alleged drug activity at West 15th Street home
Summary
Multiple residents told the Newton City Council on Oct. 1 that a house at 112 West 15th Street is the site of ongoing drug activity and heavy daily occupancy, and requested increased police presence, possible condemnation and assistance as ownership is set to change Oct. 7, 2024.
Mayor Jerry Hodge opened the Oct. 1 Newton City Council meeting and invited public comment. Several neighbors raised safety concerns about a house at 112 West 15th Street, alleging drug activity, repeated thefts and large numbers of people coming and going.
"We have people trespassing through the yard," Joshua Bumgarner, a nearby resident, told the council, saying the property "has been owned by this family the whole time I’ve been alive" and that a plan is scheduled Oct. 7 with the law offices of Sigmon and Isenhour to change ownership of the home. "People shouldn't have to worry about their kids going out to play," he said, and asked the city to increase police presence.
Neighbor Steve Poteat said he has experienced repeated thefts and described a pattern of disturbance: "I have dealt with more than can explain over the past 8 years. I have had a pistol stolen, had a U-Haul stolen, had a scooter stolen next door." Poteat said the current occupant and the prospective owner still live at the house and alleged "20-40 people in the house every day," and asked the council to consider condemning the property.
Su Zong, who said he lives next door to the house, told the council children cannot safely play in backyards and that residents have installed cameras; he noted the property is near the high school and said the neighborhood experiences trespassing and drug activity.
Council members did not take formal action during the public-comment period. Mayor Hodge asked whether anyone wished to speak and heard the remarks during Item 7 on the agenda. The speakers characterized multiple problems (drug activity, thefts, trespassing) and said ownership paperwork is expected Oct. 7; no city-initiated enforcement or condemnation action was announced at the meeting.
The residents' requests included increased police presence and follow-up from city staff; the council did not set a specific follow-up date on the record.
Next steps: The concerns are on the record; residents said they expect ownership to change Oct. 7 and requested enforcement attention. The council's staff will need to verify the claims and determine any legal remedies, including nuisance or condemnation processes, which were not addressed in the meeting record.
