MEMPHIS, Tenn. –A home in Binghampton was shut down Friday.
The home on Carpenter Street near Mimosa belonged to an 83-year-old woman, but was taken over by the Grape Street Crips to do their dirty deeds.
“Gun firing, prostitution, drugs,” said Karen Moore, who lives across the street.
Moore said that’s just a taste of what went on, and the sad thing, her elderly friend lived there too.
“She would cry, and just said she was in a lot of pain all the time,” said Moore.
Police said since 2009, they’ve received over two dozen complaints and made twenty-one arrests related to drug trafficking, aggravated assault, armed parties, gunfire and intimidation at the location.
WREG is told the gang members would have parties and violent fights at all hours.
Even shootings were reported there.
The entire time, Moore said her fragile, elderly friend, suffering from bad back problems, hid in her bedroom in fear.
“That’s where she was with all the noise and corruption over there. There was nothing she could do,” said Moore.
The elderly woman was taken to a temporary shelter, and agencies are working to find her another home.
“One of our senior citizens has been taken advantage of in a manner that makes her living environment unsafe and places her in harm’s way, and that is totally unacceptable,” said Director Toney Armstrong.
Between September 2013 and March 2015, officers were called to the address nearly two dozen times for drugs, aggravated assault, armed parties, gunfire and intimidation.
“This was a situation where the owner could no longer control what went on in and around her home,” said District Attorney Amy Weirich. ” Living conditions inside were horrible, the gangs had taken over and she just needed somewhere safe to live. This place was a haven for crime and a detriment to the entire neighborhood.”
Neighbors told WREG they’re celebrating, because the home sits in between a community center and elementary school, and dozens of kids had to dodge the gang members daily.
“This is truly a blessing. I will not forget this day,” said Moore.
The house will remain boarded up until the case goes to Environmental Court on June 10, and the judge decides what to do next.
According to the news release, the D.A. has the right to bring about a nuisance charge against an establishment if it contributes to “the unlawful sale of any regulated legend drug, narcotic or other controlled substance…quarreling, drunkenness, fighting or breaches of the peace are carried on or permitted.”