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City of Milwaukee sues property owner in latest effort to shutter drugs and prostitution

Posted at 5:10 PM, Aug 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-23 22:45:53-04

The city of Milwaukee is suing a property owner, saying the home is linked to prostitution and drug usage.

City leaders say prostitution and drugs are a big problem on the south side.  The home is located at 3200 West Greenfield Avenue.

Business owner Bob Reinke is glad the city is doing something about this.  He’s right next door to the alleged nuisance house.

“There’s no place in any part of Milwaukee for that kind of a house, it needs to stop," he said.

In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, city leaders said they’ve received at least a dozen complaints over the last six months.

“We’re all committed to improving this neighborhood," said Alderman Bob Donovan.

This is the second lawsuit the city has filed against property owners this summer using the “Bawdy house” nuisance statute, a law that threatens to close down a home where an owner allows or maintains prostitution. The homes aren't too far from each other.

Donovan says if more neighbors complain, more lawsuits can be expected to stop other slumlords, news Reinke likes to hear.

“I want the neighborhood back to how it’s always been,” Reinke said.