SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Springfield police are investigating the possibility of a lawsuit to close a house they’ve been called to 50 times in the past four years and whose owner has been arrested 19 times in the past four years.
Neighbors say drugs are dealt there. They’ve put up signs such as one saying “Meth out now” and are pressing city officials to act, the Eugene Register-Guard reported.
Erin Smith has lived across the street for a decade and says she won’t let her 10-year-old play outside for fear he will be threatened, run over or “hit by a stray bullet.”
A drug squad raided the one-story house last week and arrested owner Trevor Uehlin on methamphetamine and weapons charges.
He was convicted in 2011 of burglary and possession of meth, and sentenced to 30 days in jail. In 2012, he was convicted of meth trafficking and possession, and sentenced to 35 days in jail.
At least four times since 2012, warrants for Uehlin have been issued for alleged parole violations.
Court records show his release over the weekend was the third time since March 2012 that the Lane County Jail discharged him because it didn’t have room. Lane County is among a number of Oregon counties that have slashed law enforcement budgets since federal timber subsidies ran out.
Uehlin told the Register-Guard in a telephone interview he previously sold drugs from the house but is not doing so now.
He said he doesn’t believe he will be convicted of the most recent meth charge. He said the weapons charge relates to a double-edged knife that he didn’t know he was legally barred from having, as a convicted felon.
Calls to police regarding the home have complained of fights, noise and suspicious conditions.
Police Chief Tim Doney said that if a judge determines a house to be a “chronic disorderly property,” it could be ordered vacated and closed for up to a year.
The city’s code says a property is considered chronic disorderly if four “prohibited activities” occur there within 60 days, meaning they resulted in charges and convictions. Prohibited actions range from assault to public indecency. Police must give notice after the first two incidents.
Uehlin said he’s concerned about his neighbors’ protests. “I don’t want to lose my home,” he said.
Property records show Uehlin bought the one-story house in 2000, and it’s now worth about $89,000.
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