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MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Martinsburg Police Department invoked the city's drug-house ordinance last week in taking action against four property owners whose properties were involved in "serious drug-related criminal activity."
Martinsburg Police Chief Maurice "Maury" Richards obtained orders of abatement on Friday to address drug activity at 301 E. Burke St., 518 W. Addition St., 235 Porter Ave. and 616 N. Second St., according to a police department news release.
The owners of the properties have 30 days after notification to take corrective action or be subject to fines, the release said.
"Decent citizens are just sick and tired of what heroin is doing to our town, and we're going to do everything we can to clean it up," Richards said. "We're going to hold all property owners accountable under the provisions of the ordinance for illegal drug activity on their property."
At the East Burke Street property, which is owned by Carlos Niederhouser, police have responded to three heroin overdoses since December, the release said.
Jeffrey Rayle and Jacquelyn Betson were charged separately for possession of heroin at the residence.
They were identified as having been allowed into the property by Niederhouser's tenant, the release said.
At the Addition Street residence owned by Bradley J. Heacock, Tyler Keck was charged March 7 with distribution of heroin during the police department's "Operation Spring Cleaning" initiative, police said.
A warrant also was issued there for the arrest of Kellie Bowers on the same charge, the release said.
Keck and Bowers were invited to the property of a tenant, the release said.
Police responded in March to a drug overdose at the Porter Avenue property, which is owned by Vantap Teng, the release said.
Nicole Harcrove, a tenant at the property, was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin and cocaine after a search of the residence, police said.
At the North Second Street property, Theresa Beavers was charged on May 4 with distribution of heroin, the release said.
The property is owned by a relative, Richard B. Beavers, the release said.
The owners of the properties were notified of the offenses and instructed to get copies of their abatement orders at the police department.
They have been ordered to appear on Aug. 30 in Martinsburg Municipal Court to provide evidence that they have complied with the orders.
Compliance stipulations include evicting problem tenants and other actions to prevent future drug activity, as well as mandating criminal-background checks on future tenants to ensure they have no convictions for prostitution, illegal gambling and illegal drug activity, the release said.
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