Judge calls for hotel to close

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) - A Montgomery County Judge took action to shut down a Harrison Township hotel, that deputies call a "haven for crime".

The North Plaza Inn, located on North Dixie Drive, is expected to close by the end of the week.

"It's a victory for us because this is a problem for the community here," said Sheriff Phil Plummer.

Plummer said deputies will notify all the renters that they must leave the property. After that, the driveway entrance will be barricaded, and the door locks changed.

"We almost had them closed down once, but finally with all the drugs cases and prostitution cases, it all came together," said Plummer. "It gave us enough material to close them down".

Plummer said he's tried working with the New Jersey-based owner in the past, but has been unsuccessful. He said closing the property was the only option.

"I think they need to shut it down," said Keith Noe, a Harrison Township resident. "There's too many prostitutes running around here, and we have young kids. The drug activity needs to go".

Deputies are hopeful that closing the hotel will make a significant dent in the amount of crime that occurs in Harrison Township.

At this point, the shut down is only temporary, but officials vowed that they will head back to court and fight for a permanent closure.