A prior nuisance property creates more issues in the South Perry District

SPOKANE, Wash. -- We've covered several nuisance properties in the Spokane area. Occasionally, police will gather enough statements and reports from surrounding neighbors that they're able to file a lawsuit in Superior Court to "abate the nuisance."

Now, one spot in the South Perry District has neighbors asking a lot of questions. This particular area is right next door to the Southside Church of Christ property at 1225 E Newark Ave. We're told trash and junk has been piling up in the yard for the past several years.

Neighbors say it's an eye sore, but they're more concerned about the commotion that begins after the sun sets.

"When the sun goes down, the lights come on, the spot lights and you hear yelling and sometimes fighting at night. Lots of commotion," explained Michelle Hoy, who lives nearby.

The Spokane Police Department has confirmed there was a chronic nuisance notice issued back in 2020. They say, to continue to pursue this as a nuisance property, they need a paper trail of complaints and statements.

"I'm kind of afraid of more retaliation from him because one day we were on our porch and he came out on a bike in a weird looking mask and looked directly at us as he was riding his bike by, and it was creepy," recounted Hoy.

While some people are more comfortable giving anonymous statements or complaints, those don't help.

We're told the church does have service on Sundays, with about four people showing up each week.

Online, the address of that church is tied to a 24-hour thrift store. On Monday, they told 4 News Now they were closed due to a recent flood.

SPD recently did a reorganization within the department, and they say all officers should be working as neighborhood resource officers.

The best thing community members can do to address similar issues is to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233.

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