West Columbus house known for crime, drug activity boarded up by city officials

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A west Columbus drug house that has had an influx of burglaries and drug activity over the last three years has been boarded up by the city.

The office of Columbus city attorney Zach Klein announced that a house on the 400 block of South Richardson Avenue has been boarded up after more than 50 calls to police were made since 2021.

In March of 2021, police conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics from the house and obtained crack cocaine. Throughout 2021 and 2022, multiple calls were made about drug and prostitution activity.

Last year, calls began to surface from people asking police to do more at the residence as the alleged criminal behavior continued. On Feb. 16, Flagstar Bank acquired the property from a private selling officer's deed, per the complaint.

Throughout the spring and summer of this year, calls were made about continued drug activity and on Aug. 5, police found a body, apparent narcotics and drug paraphernalia. City code enforcement officials visited the house in the summer and found numerous violations as well as broken doors and windows.