New Hope Revokes Rental License of Property with History of Drugs, Police Calls

The New Hope City Council voted this week to revoke the rental license of a property that has had a history of police calls, including some that resulted in disorderly behavior violations that involved drugs and overdoses. One person at the property died of a suspected drug overdose last fall.

The property is in the 3900 block of Oregon Avenue N. 

The city recommended revoking the home’s rental license because of “inadequate management of the property and its tenants.” Police records show the tenants have been cited three times for disorderly violations which included a possible overdose where the person died. The other cases involved a fentanyl overdose where a person was given doses of Narcan, as well as a possible overdose on meth. Police reported finding drug paraphernalia, including hypodermic needles and syringes during these events, city documents showed.

One violation involved a traffic stop in the driveway of the property where police found a vehicle that had been reported stolen with license plates removed. City documents say when police entered the house to try to put the individual in custody, they saw drug paraphernalia in “plain view.”

In each of these instances, city documents show letters were sent notifying the property owner.

“If it were in my neighborhood, I wouldn’t be okay with it. As an elected official, we speak for all neighbors,” said New Hope City Council member John Elder. “This police department has been dealing with repeated calls. It’s not a few calls. It’s an incredible amount of calls.”

The property owner spoke to the council and told them he’s been intimidated by the people living there who are not the same people he originally rented to.

“I did the best I could. I tried. I’m embarrassed by what’s happened here,” said Richard Swenson. “I have no disagreements with anybody bringing this up.”

Swenson says he’s had a difficult time evicting the residents and that the renters are supposed to be evicted by the end of the month because the property has been sold.

New Hope Mayor Kathi Hemken advised the owner not to go to the rental property alone. 

To read more or listen to the full council discussion, click here.

New Hope