CITY FILES SUIT AGAINST SUSPECTED CRACK HOUSE OWNERS

Resulting from a massive undercover sting on local crack dealers, the city
of Hammond has filed the first of many civil lawsuits that could kick crack
house owners and occupants out of their homes for five years.

Arguments will be heard today before 21st Judicial District Judge Ernie
Drake on whether there is probable cause to set a trial for suspected
dealers Lizette Jackson and Shedrick Conerly, 407 Washington Ave., Hammond
in-house attorney Doug Brown said Wednesday. Drake is expected to make a
ruling today.

Individuals working with Hammond police bought crack from four dealers
operating out of the Washington Avenue home during an undercover operation
earlier this year, according to the city's petition.

The deals were videotaped and will be presented in court if Drake finds
enough cause for trial, Brown said.

The crack crackdown is part of a one-two punch that involves working with
property owners to rid neighborhoods of drug dealers.

Hammond police arrested 22 suspected drug dealers last month and issued
warrants for more than 50 additional suspects as the result of the
five-month undercover investigation.

But the city is also using a state statute that gives cities the right to
sue property owners for injunctions against future drug activity - a
penalty that closes the property for five years. Property owners are liable
for upkeep of the property, as well as taxes, during that period.

Mayor Louis Tallo issued letters to owners and occupants of suspected crack
houses last month, asking them to work with the city to keep dealers off
their property or else face a civil suit.

Today's suit is the first of the suspects who chose not to work with the
city, Brown said.

While Brown didn't have the number of cases the city planned to file, he
said, "We're going to be litigating these well into the next calendar year."

The city used this tactic in August 2001, to hold the owners of the
Magnolia Inn liable for drug activity and prostitution on their premises.

While Drake, who was also the judge in that case, did not close the
property, police said the threat cleaned up the area.

Meanwhile, Tallo issued a press release this week indicating his plans to
ask District Attorney Scott Perrilloux and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Eddie
Layrisson to keep last month's arrested dealers in jail until their trial,
unless they post bond.

"The sale of crack cocaine eventually affects every man, woman and child in
the city," Tallo stated in the release. "I don't want the dealers back here."

Brown also issued his own statement Wednesday to owners of crack houses,
regarding the civil suits: "Get used to it."