Building Owners Targeted by City Atty. Hahn Agree to Ban Drug Traffickers

Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn, foiled in an initial attempt last month to halt drug dealing at six South Los Angeles locations, completed agreements Thursday with owners of all the targeted buildings to ban known drug traffickers.

“We are very pleased with the outcome. We filed six lawsuits, and we have six positive results,” said Assistant City Atty. Charles Goldenberg after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kurt J. Lewin approved the injunctions negotiated with owners.

Hahn has pledged to use a relatively new state law, the Controlled Substances Abatement Act, to go after motels and residences used as “drug sanctuaries” in Los Angeles.

Restraining Orders

Lewin had refused to issue temporary restraining orders when Hahn’s office filed the first six suits Jan. 18, saying city prosecutors failed to prove urgent orders were needed. But he said Thursday that he is satisfied that evidence warrants longer-lasting preliminary injunctions.

Under the statute, prosecutors can seek civil injunctions to restrict illegal activity at targeted buildings, including access by known drug users and dealers. Violations can result in contempt of court orders punishable by fines ranging from $500 to $10,000.

If drug trafficking continues despite restricted access to known dealers and users and after fines have been levied, the law can be used ultimately to padlock facilities and put them out of business.

After the brief court hearing Thursday, Goldenberg reaffirmed Hahn’s pledge to file a spate of the lawsuits about once a month. He said more will be filed in “the near future.”

Onus on Owners

Patterned after the state’s 1916 Red Light Abatement Act designed to curb prostitution, the drug abatement law puts the onus on owners to control illegal activity on their property.

Under threat of contempt, owners must post notices banning drug trafficking, provide proper locks on doors and fences, evict tenants with drug records and restrict access of non-residents.

Closer scrutiny by owners, prosecutors believe, instills more responsibility in property managers to enforce the bans against drug traffickers and encourages them to call police if they need help.

Hahn’s office will also serve as a strong backup, ready to go to court for the contempt orders and fines if violations occur, he said.

Numerous arrests for drug-related activity have occurred at each of the six sites.