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Checking In On Local Hotel’s Legal Issues

Checking In On Local Hotel’s Legal Issues

A local hotel that is commonly linked to legal troubles could soon be erased from the community.

Eau Claire Police have recently issued a statement in reagard to Regency Inn and Suites. It has been determined that the location contributes to the criminal victimization of community members, particularly our vulnerable populations.

Therefore, the Eau Claire City Attorney’s Office has filed suit in Eau Claire County Court asking for the ordered closure of this business and sale of the property.

Read the ECPD RELEASE BELOW:

Our community places their trust in the Eau Claire Police Department to work with others to ensure a safe and engaged community with an exceptional quality of life. To help achieve this, our agency employs a community-policing philosophy, which utilize proactive measures to identify areas where crime impacts our community and then partner with stakeholders to address the underlying causes.

In 2016, the Regency Inn and Suites, 1828 S. Hastings Way, was identified as one of the most problematic properties in our community. Drug trafficking, illicit drug use, human trafficking, domestic violence, assault and other forms of violence were common place. An examination of these issues determined the practices of the hotel management directly contributed to the crime and disorder occurring at this property.

This crime adversely impacts people who rely on this hotel for housing, neighboring businesses and our community as a whole. Since this time, members of the Eau Claire Police Department and several community groups have engaged with Regency Inn and Suites management on these serious issues. Hotel management has been kept informed of the high volume of police calls for service and the nature of the criminal activity.

Throughout this several year period of time, police department personnel actively engaged hotel management on strategies of reducing crime and preventing the victimization of hotel guests and the neighborhood. Our Police Officers and members of several civic groups provided hotel management with training on crime prevention and best practices. Additionally, hotel management has received formal notices in the form of in-person visits, telephone calls, letters and other orders related to these problems.

Despite all of the proactive and collaborative efforts, these problems persist.
It is clear the business practices at the Regency Inn and Suites contribute to the criminal victimization of community members, particularly our vulnerable populations. Therefore, the Eau Claire City Attorney’s Office has filed suit in Eau Claire County Court asking for the ordered closure of this business and sale of the property. The basis of this lawsuit is the compilation of Eau Claire Police Department incident reports and documentation of the persistent crime occurring at this business.
It is recognized that many community members experiencing housing insecurity rely on hotels for housing.

In response to this concern, the court filing will not result in the immediate closure of the Regency Inn and Suites. A coalition of community civic groups and local government agencies has formed to seek housing options for people who may be displaced by this legal action, and are also working collaboratively to proactively address hotel related problems in the community.

This work group includes the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, Fierce Freedom, Eau Claire County Department of Human Services, Eau Claire City Attorney’s Office, the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office, Eau Claire City/County Health Department, members of the Eau Claire City Council, Eau Claire County Board, the state legislature and the Eau Claire Police Department.

It is an honor for the men and women of the Eau Claire Police Department to serve everyone who lives and works in our community. Our officers take the responsibility to protect others seriously. We cannot achieve these goals alone. Through partnership, and community engagement, we can continue to ensure a safe community with an exceptional quality of life.

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