This property is a large, two-story, single-family home in the Bloomingdale neighborhood. The home, which had been in the Jones family for over 50 years, had been a drug related nuisance property for much of 1990, when the neighbors contacted the United States Attorney’s Office in the summer of 2004 for assistance. Community members reported to the Community Prosecutor that drug dealers had taken over the house and had turned it into a crack house. With the assistance of the Jones family, the 5D Focus Mission Team, and Neighborhood Services, the United States Attorney’s Office successfully abated this drug related nuisance property in January 2005.

The house was originally owned by Herbert and Dorothy Jones, who raised a family of five children in the home. When Herbert and Dorothy Jones passed away, the estate was never probated, and their daughter, Barbara Jones continued to reside in the house until her health failed and she moved out in November, 2003. Sometime around 1995 and continuing thereafter, drug dealers began taking over the house and MPD received hundreds of drug complaints over the years. In December, 2004, the 5th District focus mission team executed a search warrant and arrested 7 individuals, including Barbara Jones’ nephew. As the police left the house with those who had been arrested, the neighbors stood outside of the property and cheered – happy to be rid of the drug activity there
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The United States Attorney’s Office then contacted Jones family members, who lived in Maryland. The family members were very cooperative and met several times with the Community Prosecutor and MPD, secured the premises, took legal control of the property and began plans to sell the home. The family maintained contact with MPD and authorized MPD to arrest anyone who was found in the vacant home.

This residence, a long time drug-related nuisance, is now secure, vacant and drug-free. The Bloomingdale neighbors are grateful and confirm that the area is much safer since the drug dealers moved out.