City’s Suit Seeks to Close Motel in Crackdown on Drugs, Prostitution

A sign outside the Hollywood motel announces: “No drugs. No drug dealers. No loiters. No weapons.” But authorities said the Comfort 10 Motor Inn in the 1600 block of North Western Avenue is a hotbed of drug activity and prostitution, and moved Friday to shut it down.

Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn said the owners have refused to take measures to curb illegal activity on their property, forcing city officials to file a civil lawsuit this week against partners Chung E. Shu, Shing Chuen Shu and Fuang Chu Shu alleging that the motel is a narcotics nuisance.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to restrict the motel’s operations until the suit goes to trial.

The owners could not be reached for comment.

More than 80 drug-related arrests--including those of two motel employees--have been made in the last two years at the motel, police said. Authorities have also confiscated cocaine, methamphetamines, shotguns and pistols from the site. Hahn said city officials have requested that the owners control access to the parking lot, add better lighting and regulate the flow of visitors.

“Owners of this hotel have refused to take responsibility to control crime,” Hahn said. “One location can create all the problems in a neighborhood, and the ripple effect can impact all the other businesses and residences.”

City Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg said she welcomed the move to shut down the motel, which she said is the source of the most complaints to her office. “This neighborhood is getting rehabilitated, and what is dragging it down? This business.”