ROCKINGHAM — Another local property has been declared a public nuisance, this time in the city limits.
The Rockingham Police Department announced Monday that Superior Court Judge Dawn Layton signed a consent judgement on June 29 for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against the owner of 820 Armstead Street.
Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes defines nuisance properties as those used for prostitution, gambling, possession or sale of controlled substances, illegal alcohol, or obscene or lewd material.
Properties are also considered a nuisance if they constitute a “breach of the peace” through repeated acts.
Investigators say there have been an “extensive amount of calls” to that address over the past two years, including for drug activity and several shootings.
County records list the owner as Amanda Ann Richardson.
According to a press release, the judgement was the final step in the civil nuisance abatement case brought by the city on behalf of the state.
Rockingham Police Chief George Gillenwater said all parties involved agreed on the judgement.
“This address has caused the community undue harm for far too long,” Gillenwater said in the release. “This community worked with law enforcement to restore peace to the citizens. Rockingham Police Department working together with Alcohol Law Enforcement’s Nuisance Abatement Team has been able to positively impact our community and ensure this property owner receives the assistance she needs.”
According to the release, the judgement orders one structure on the property be demolished and ensures only the current resident resides on the property.
The agreement also “forbids future nuisance related activities from occurring on the property and remains in effect indefinitely with the land.”
“The nuisance abatement law provides a solution for problem locations that stain law enforcement resources and reduce the quality of life for others,” said Scottie Shoaf, Special Agent in charge of the Nuisance Abatement Team. “It has been a pleasure working with the Rockingham Police Department to bring a permanent resolution to this problem and I embrace the positive changes this judgment will facilitate in the community.”
This is at least the third property in the county to be subject to a nuisance abatement order within the past 18 months.
In February of 2022, Superior Court Judge Stephan Futrell signed an order against 130 South Street in East Rockingham. The following September, the property was used for a fire training exercise.
Last November, Futrell signed another order in East Rockingham, this time at 104 Middle St.
