Delaware Department of Justice - Attorney Generals Office

Nuisance ABATEMENT

Nuisance Abatement Cases Resolved since 2007

There are properties in our neighborhoods that we all recognize - places we avoid and don't let our kids walk past because the criminal activity taking place there brings down the surrounding community. They are the bad apples spoiling the bunch, because the owners of these homes and businesses turn a blind eye to drug crime, prostitution, illegal gambling, and other activity that flourishes there. In August, 2007, Attorney General Biden announced that the Delaware Department of Justice would aggressively use the newly enhanced Drug Nuisance and Social Vices Abatement Act to identify these properties and give their owners the choice: either clean up their property voluntarily, or face a lawsuit and the closure of their properties by court order. Read the press release announcing this action.

Since stepping up its enforcement actions, the Department of Justice has issued written notices to property owners, obtained court orders to shut down properties, and received hundreds of tips from residents across Delaware. Fortunately, most cases are resolved voluntarily by property owners who take specific steps to end the illegal activity. However, in cases where property owners are uncooperative, the Department brings action against them in court.

Across Delaware, at the Department's request, judges have granted temporary orders to shut down properties that posed immediate threats to public safety. Those defendants must later explain at permanent abatement hearings why they allowed drug crime, prostitution, and other crimes to continue on their properties. On September 23, 2008, for the first time ever, the deed to a nuisance property was turned over to the State following a permanent abatement hearing. Read the press release announcing this resolution.

Since 2007, through the efforts of the Department's Nuisance Abatement Program, nuisances have been abated at 60 properties statewide. Nuisances have been abated through the closure of properties and also through the written agreement of property owners to take specific measures to clean up their properties short of closure. Review a list of these properties.

Nuisance PROPERTY

REPORT A NUISANCE PROPERTY
If you would like to report a nuisance property in your neighborhood that is the site of drug crime, prostitution, illegal gambling, and other illegal activity, please contact the Delaware Department of Justice Nuisance Abatement Program at (302) 577-8400.