Report on Nuisance Abatement Action in Lenoir, N.C. and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A multi-agency law enforcement action, culminating in a civil nuisance abatement order against the Red Roof Inn in Lenoir, N.C., serves as a case study in advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The intervention, finalized on September 15, 2025, directly addresses persistent criminal activity, thereby strengthening community safety, promoting justice, and fostering a sustainable local environment. This report details the action’s alignment with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Background: Addressing Threats to Community Safety and Well-being

The Lenoir Police Department, in response to numerous community complaints regarding illicit activities at a local business, initiated an investigation. The persistent nature of the offenses posed a significant threat to local stability and safety, undermining key tenets of sustainable development.

• Violation of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The property had become a locus of activity detrimental to creating a safe, inclusive, and resilient community environment.
• Violation of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The recurring criminal acts, including drug-related offenses and breaches of the peace, represented a direct challenge to the rule of law and public safety.

Intervention and Judicial Action: Upholding SDG 16

To restore order and uphold legal frameworks, the Lenoir Police Department partnered with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE), an agency specializing in nuisance abatement statutes. This collaboration exemplifies the development of effective and accountable institutions as called for in SDG 16.

1. A civil nuisance abatement case was filed in Superior Court, leveraging Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes as a legal tool to address the root causes of community disruption.
2. On September 15, 2025, Superior Court Judge Steve Warren signed a consent judgment and final order of abatement.
3. This judicial outcome reinforces SDG Target 16.3, which aims to promote the rule of law at national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

Terms of Abatement: Fostering a Sustainable and Safe Environment

The court-mandated order imposes specific restrictions designed to prevent future illicit activities and transition the property into a responsible business contributing positively to the community. These terms directly support the creation of a sustainable urban environment.

Key Mandates of the Order:

• Residency Restrictions: The property is forbidden from providing permanent residency or renting to individuals living within a 25-mile radius, a measure aimed at disrupting local criminal networks.
• Enhanced Security: The business is required to retain security personnel to ensure a safe environment for guests and the surrounding community, aligning with SDG 11’s goal of ensuring public safety.
• Prohibition of Nuisance Activities: The order explicitly forbids future nuisance activities, holding the property owners accountable for maintaining a safe and lawful operation.

Inter-Agency Collaboration: A Model for SDG 17

The success of this initiative underscores the importance of partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The effective cooperation between the local Lenoir Police Department and the statewide Alcohol Law Enforcement Division demonstrates a commitment to shared objectives for community well-being.

This partnership leveraged the specialized expertise of ALE’s nuisance abatement team to support local law enforcement, showcasing an effective model for public-public collaboration to achieve sustainable development outcomes. The involvement and support of the local community were also cited as critical to the successful resolution, further highlighting a multi-stakeholder approach to building peaceful and inclusive societies.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article is centered on law enforcement and legal action to combat crime and restore peace in a community. It details the collaboration between the Lenoir Police Department and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) to address “repeated criminal offenses,” “recurring violence,” and “breaches of the peace.” The use of a “civil nuisance abatement case” filed in Superior Court, based on Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes, directly reflects the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to ensure justice and public order.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The issues at the Red Roof Inn are described as having “detrimental impacts on the community.” The legal action aims to enhance “community safety” and ensure the property can operate as a “successful business” without negatively affecting its surroundings. This aligns with the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by addressing localized sources of crime and insecurity that degrade the quality of urban life.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 16

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 entire law enforcement intervention, culminating in a court order to “prohibit” future nuisance activities, is a direct measure aimed at reducing localized violence and crime, contributing to this target.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The article provides a clear example of the rule of law in action. The police department, facing a persistent problem, utilized a specific legal framework (“Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes”) and the judicial system (“civil nuisance abatement case was filed in Superior Court”) to find a “civil remedy.” The resulting “consent judgement and final order of abatement” demonstrates the functioning of legal institutions to resolve conflicts and uphold the law for the community’s benefit.

Targets under SDG 11

1. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…

   While the inn is a private property, its criminal activities have a spillover effect, impacting the safety of the surrounding community. The article notes the “numerous complaints from the community” and the goal of addressing “detrimental impacts on the community.” By taking action to stop illegal activity at this location, law enforcement is working to make the entire neighborhood a safer place for its residents, which is a core component of this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for Target 16.1

• The article implies that progress can be measured by a reduction in the frequency of criminal activity. An implied indicator is the number of police calls, criminal reports, and community complaints related to the property. The article mentions “repeated criminal offenses” and “numerous complaints” as the basis for the action; a successful outcome would be a significant decrease in these metrics.

Indicators for Target 16.3

• The article itself documents a successful application of the law. An indicator is the number of successful nuisance abatement cases filed and resolved. The fact that the investigation led to a “consent judgement and final order of abatement” serves as a measure of the justice system’s effectiveness in using civil remedies to address criminal activity.

Indicators for Target 11.7

• The “numerous complaints from the community” serve as a baseline indicator of the lack of safety perceived by residents. A key implied indicator for measuring progress would be the reduction in community complaints regarding the property and an improvement in the community’s perception of safety in the area. The statement hoping to “restore this property to the status quo” suggests a return to a state where the community feels safe.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ncdps.gov