My office is available to help law enforcement agencies take the necessary legal steps to close down crime-ridden properties where drug, alcohol or firearms violations, prostitution, obscenity, gambling and gang activity thrive. We can also shut urban apartment complexes plagued with frequent aggravated or sexual assault cases, robberies or firearms law violations. One option my Civil Enforcement Section takes is to meet with the property owner to offer help in improving the safety of the premises. However, if the violations are excessively high, then my office will file suit to address the criminal violations. A property owner who cooperates can expect the support of law enforcement agencies and fire, health and safety codes investigators in ridding the property of crime.
Many owners are grateful for our help in getting undesirable elements off their property.
Following is a test to help law enforcement agencies determine whether a suspected site is a nuisance under Texas law. If the property is a large apartment complex in a city with 440,000 inhabitants or more, nuisance abatement actions can also be brought for the violent crimes of aggravated or sexual assault, robbery or aggravated robbery or illegally carrying firearms. My Civil Enforcement Section is available to pursue nuisance abatement and other civil legal remedies that can stop crime or help law enforcement do so.