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Residents urge action as drug dealing and safety concerns persist at Challenger & Avenue K plaza
Summary
Multiple residents told council the commercial plaza at Challenger and Avenue K has sustained years of drug selling, gambling and violent incidents that have driven customers away; public-safety staff said they are working with property owners, plan a substation and urged formation of a business-watch program.
Several residents used the council’s public-comment period to press for stronger enforcement and business protections at a commercial plaza near Challenger and Avenue K, describing ongoing drug selling, illegal gambling and violent incidents that they say have forced restaurants and other businesses to close.
Ronald Riley, who identified himself as a neighborhood-watch captain, told the council he had conducted surveillance and collected video allegedly showing drug sales and gambling at the plaza and said multiple businesses have suffered declining customers. "This has ruined our neighborhood," he said, requesting coordinated enforcement and long-term action.
City and public-safety officials acknowledged the problem and described ongoing responses. The sheriff's captain and the city police chief reported they have been working closely with property owners and business operators; staff said they have deployed tactical measures at the site, used parking obstructions to deter reckless vehicle activity and plan to open a public-safety substation near Challenger and K to increase presence. The chief asked residents to connect with Officer Rodriguez and Captain Roberts, and encouraged forming a formal business-watch program so owners and neighbors can coordinate with law enforcement.
Other speakers described related quality-of-life concerns — panhandling, trashing of public spaces, and deteriorated park facilities — and urged the council to prioritize parks maintenance and youth services alongside enforcement. Council members thanked residents for raising these issues and said staff would meet with the requesters to develop further plans.
Next steps: Public-safety staff said they would continue engagement with business owners and community leaders, open a substation at the plaza property owner’s cooperation, and pursue coordinated enforcement and prevention efforts; residents were encouraged to sign up for a business-watch program to formalize local reporting and deterrence.
