Final Judgement Ordered in Stallings Nuisance Case – NC DPS (.gov)

Report on Nuisance Abatement Action in Stallings, N.C.

Executive Summary

A collaborative law enforcement initiative in Stallings, North Carolina, has culminated in a successful civil nuisance abatement action at 708 Pinecliff Court. This action, a partnership between the Stallings Police Department (SPD) and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE), directly addresses key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By leveraging legal frameworks to resolve persistent criminal activity, the agencies have restored community safety and reinforced the principles of justice and institutional accountability.

Case Background and Inter-Agency Collaboration

The property at 708 Pinecliff Court became a focal point for law enforcement due to repeated criminal offenses and numerous complaints from the community. In response, SPD Chief Dennis Franks initiated a partnership with the state-level ALE to investigate and address the ongoing illegal activities. This collaboration led to the filing of a civil nuisance abatement case in Superior Court.

Alignment with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The operational approach in this case exemplifies the core tenets of SDG 16 by strengthening governance and ensuring public access to safety and justice.

• Effective Institutions: The partnership between local and state law enforcement demonstrates an effective, accountable, and inclusive institutional response to crime.
• Rule of Law: The application of North Carolina’s nuisance abatement statutes (Chapter 19 of the General Statutes) promotes the rule of law as a civil remedy to combat criminal acts and their detrimental impact on the community.
• Access to Justice: This action provides a formal remedy for residents, ensuring their right to live in a peaceful environment is protected by law, thereby restoring the quality of life and ensuring justice for the affected neighborhood.

Legal Framework and Judicial Resolution

The case was adjudicated under Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes, which defines nuisance activities to include crimes related to drugs, violence, breaches of the peace, and alcoholic beverage control violations. On November 7, 2025, Superior Court Judge Jonathan Perry signed a consent judgment and final order of abatement, bringing the matter to a legal conclusion.

Contribution to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The court-ordered resolution directly supports the objective of SDG 11 to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The specific terms of the order are designed to create a lasting positive impact on the community’s safety and stability.

1. The current residents are mandated to vacate the property, immediately ceasing the source of the nuisance.
2. The property must be listed for sale within 60 days, facilitating a transition to responsible ownership.
3. Prospective buyers are required to undergo a background check with the Stallings Police Department, which retains final approval authority over the sale, ensuring the property does not become a future hub for illegal activity.

Conclusion: Advancing Community Well-being and Sustainable Development

The successful nuisance abatement at 708 Pinecliff Court is a significant achievement in local governance and community safety. By addressing a persistent source of crime, the Stallings Police Department and the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division have made a direct contribution to several Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative not only reinforces SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by upholding the rule of law but also advances SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by actively making the neighborhood safer. Furthermore, by eliminating a source of community stress and danger, the action implicitly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) for all residents.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article focuses on improving the quality of life and safety within a specific neighborhood in Stallings, N.C. By addressing a property that is a source of “persistent illegal activity” and “ongoing nuisances,” the actions described contribute to making the community safer and more sustainable for its residents. The goal stated by the SPD Chief, that “every resident deserves to live in a neighborhood free from illegal activity,” directly aligns with the aim of creating safe and inclusive human settlements.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is central to the article, which details a law enforcement and judicial process to combat crime and restore order. The collaboration between the local Stallings Police Department (SPD) and the state-level Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) demonstrates the functioning of effective institutions. The use of a “civil nuisance abatement case” under North Carolina General Statutes highlights the promotion of the rule of law and access to justice for the community affected by the criminal activity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
   • The article connects to the “safe housing” aspect of this target. The legal action was taken to eliminate “illegal activity and ongoing nuisances” originating from a specific property, thereby improving the safety of the surrounding residential area and contributing to a safer living environment for the entire neighborhood.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article explicitly mentions that the nuisance activities included “recurring violence” and “breaches of the peace.” The law enforcement intervention and subsequent court order are direct measures aimed at reducing these forms of violence within the community.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The entire process described—from investigation to the filing of a “civil nuisance abatement case” in Superior Court based on “Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes”—is an application of the rule of law to resolve a community problem. The successful outcome, a “consent judgment and final order of abatement,” demonstrates that the legal system provided a remedy, ensuring access to justice for the affected residents.
3. Target 16.A: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.
   • The article highlights the “strong partnership with the Stallings Police Department” and the ALE. This collaboration between a local police department and a state-level law enforcement agency is a clear example of strengthening institutional capacity to address crime more effectively.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Implied and Mentioned Indicators

• Number of community complaints: The article states the investigation began following “numerous community complaints.” A reduction in such complaints from the neighborhood would be a direct indicator of progress in improving community safety (relevant to Target 11.1).
• Incidence of specific crimes: The nuisance activities were defined to include “crimes involving drug laws, recurring violence, breaches of the peace and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violations.” A decrease in the reported incidence of these crimes in the area would measure the success of the intervention (relevant to Target 16.1).
• Successful application of legal remedies: The filing and conclusion of the “civil nuisance abatement case,” resulting in a “final order of abatement,” serves as a concrete indicator that the rule of law is being effectively applied to address community issues (relevant to Target 16.3).
• Inter-agency collaborations: The formal partnership between the Stallings Police Department and the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division is an indicator of strengthened institutional capacity to combat crime (relevant to Target 16.A).

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: ncdps.gov