CLEVELAND — An apartment complex in Cleveland is being described as "a hot spot for drug activity."
During Monday night's Cleveland City Council meeting, Police Chief John Foster told the council that 105 Bryant St. apartments have become "a haven for drug activity."
Foster said police have had a lot of problems over the years at that location, adding they were there early Monday morning for an incident in which a female had her throat cut. Foster said it turned out she cut her own throat, in an attempt to take her own life.
On July 1, a suspected gang member was arrested on drug charges by Cleveland Police and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement agents.
Foster said the apartments — identified as the older apartments on Bryant Street — are "falling down”, adding there are some procedures they can take to handle the situation.
"I have already talked with the property owners and there is a stipulation in the law, if we can show that it has become a drug haven, it can be declared a public nuance and made to close them down," Foster said.
Foster said when he talked with the private property owners he told if they don’t clean up and renovate the apartments he is prepared to take action.
According to Foster, that complex does not have a single outside light because of the drug activity. All have been knocked out.
"We need to look at a maintenance ordinance for apartment buildings," Foster told the city council.
Foster said that's especially important because the apartments are rental units and get damaged and destroyed more than a private home.
Similar problems exist at the apartments on Campbell Street, Foster said.
