Police confirmed a local motel was being raided and padlocked as a public nuisance.
The incident was happening at the Thrifty Inn in the 300 block of Harding Place at Interstate 24.
Reports stated police were raiding the motel around 9:30 a.m. Friday.
They confirmed the motel would be padlocked as a public nuisance.
According to authorities with the Metro Nashville Police Department, officials have responded to nearly 600 calls at the motel in the last three years.
Officials said at least 60 people, some with small children, were living at the motel full-time. The evicted families were being helped by social services.
About 60 people, some with small children, were living at the Thrifty Inn. All of them are now homeless @NC5 pic.twitter.com/9Ikd6KZT3E
— Chris Conte (@chrisconte) March 31, 2017
Reports also stated two people had died at the motel from overdoses within the past year.
“I commend the efforts of our South Precinct and the Special Investigative unit for addressing the safety concerns of the neighboring businesses and neighborhoods to the Thrifty Inn. The closing of the Thrifty Inn will ensure the success of the surrounding businesses and safety for the neighborhoods," said Councilwoman Vercher.
"As a neighbor in the Perimeter Park area, we are very pleased to see the Thrifty Inn’s closure,” said Jennifer Wigal, spokesperson for Perimeter One Nashville and its tenants. “We deeply appreciate our Councilwoman and the Police Department’s proactive efforts to ensure the safety of our business community.”
“The Thrifty Inn has proven to be a drain on resources,” Chief Steve Anderson said. “The men and women of the South Precinct work to protect a 70 square mile area. It is not fair to other neighborhoods and businesses when we have to keep sending officers to the same place for the same issues, over and over, for years.”
The order from the judge to close the motel also directed that it be inspected by the Metro Health Department, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Codes Department.
At least three complaints were received by Metro Health in 2016 about bed bugs at the motel, and two of those resulted in the confirmed presence of bed bugs.
