NEWS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2001

CITY OF OAKLAND PREVAILS IN DRUG AND GANG NUISANCE CASE

Oakland, CA - In another victory in the effort to eliminate drug and gang activity from Oakland neighborhoods, City Attorney John Russo announced today that his legal team, in partnership with the Oakland Police Department, won an injunction against the owner of a property which has been a hot spot of drug use and gang activity in an East Oakland neighborhood.

Located at 1355 83rd Avenue, the property is a known hangout for the Border Brothers gang. In the past year, narcotic activity-including the sale, storage, use and distribution of narcotics-has resulted in nine arrests and confiscation of rock cocaine and liquid heroin.

The injunction, granted by the Superior Court of California, Alameda County, prohibits the property owner from using or permitting the use of the property for illegal narcotic activities. The City of Oakland sought relief from the Court because the property owner has refused to take steps to abate the nuisance the house poses to the neighborhood as a magnet for crime, drug use, violence and gang activity, in violation of the California Health and Safety Code. In addition, the property owner has repeatedly ignored attempts by the City to notify her of illegal narcotic activities, plumbing and electrical code violations, and substandard conditions present on the property.

"This legal victory sends a message to the perpetrators of drug and gang violence in our community that such activity will not be tolerated," said City Attorney Russo. "I am proud of the effective partnership between our attorneys, the Oakland Police Department, and the code enforcement staff in the Community and Economic Development Agency, whose dedication and hard work are improving the quality of life for Oakland residents."