Officials say they have forced a crime-plagued motel in New Orleans to go out of business.
"The London Lodge Motel, long known as a hub for violent crime and hazardous living conditions, has officially been shut down," according to a news release from District Attorney Jason Williams and multiple city, and state agencies.
The D.A. says this should have happened a long time ago.
"We announce the closure of the London Lodge Motel, a long-overdue action made possible by months of hard work, collaboration, and determination," Williams told reporters. "This is not just about shutting down one problem property. It is about restoring safety and dignity to a community that has suffered for too long."
Know for ages as a site for prostitution and drugs, authorities say the motel had become a crime scene far too many times and was being used for criminals to buy and sell guns too.
"The Motel has been the site of multiple violent crimes, including a homicide and an aggravated rape, and its closure comes after comprehensive investigations and inspections," according to the news release.
ATF was investigating activity at London Lodge for more than a year, uncovering rampant drug activity and weapons trafficking.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson said, "Removing a center for crime like the London Lodge is essential. Simply arresting individuals only scratches the surface. We use a surgical approach to dismantle the infrastructure that allows crime to thrive. This motel wasn’t just a location, it was a safe haven for criminals, and its closure sends a strong message."
The London Lodge was among the last of what once was a thriving corridor of hourly rate motels up and down Airline where illegal activity was flaunted for decades. It sits just on the Orleans side of the line with Metairie. Jefferson Parish shut down one motel after another years ago in a concentrated effort to revive the corridor.
With the evidence ATF uncovered, NOPD was able to trigger the Nuisance Property or “Padlock” ordinance to close down the business.
Authorities say an inspection of the property also discovered health and safety violations.
"A multi-agency inspection conducted in June 2024 uncovered severe issues, including units with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, mold growth on ceilings and walls, sewage backups, and dangerous gas leaks. The Fire Marshal's final inspection in August 2024 led to the issuance of a cease-and-desist order. These conditions were deemed immediate life safety threats, making it impossible for the motel to remain operational."
The D.A.'s office provided a timeline of the operation:
- June 2023: ATF initiates a narcotics investigation into London Lodge Motel.
- January 2024: A three-year-old is shot in the 400 Building, prompting further urgency.
- June 24, 2024: Multi-agency inspection reveals widespread violations, including a natural gas leak in a hot water heater with no ventilation.
- August 29, 2024: Fire Marshal orders a 72-hour evacuation, and on September 1, 2024, the motel is officially closed.