Tacoma motel shut down after calls about prostitution, drugs, assault

TACOMA, Wash. — The Morgan Motel on Pacific Avenue has been shut down after almost 200 police calls to the location in the last year about prostitution, drugs and assault.

Tacoma police told KIRO 7 that the city’s code compliance department handled the shutdown. KIRO 7 has contacted the department for details.

A "closed" sign hung on the motel office door Sunday night. Two people sat behind the office window, unwilling to comment.

Residents who live on the street behind the motel told KIRO 7 that they have struggled with criminal activity spilling over into their area.

“My husband saw somebody, some guys out there, and they were doing something. He says, ‘What are you doing?’ He says, ‘Oh, you want a hit?’” said Sharyl Leingang.

Leingang said she was happy to learn of the motel being shut down, but believes that the owners might take actions to reopen it.

“It’s still going to bring the same people, especially if you can pay by the hour. Then, come on,” she said.

Her neighbor, Janae Lowry, said she found 24 syringes on her backyard fence three weeks ago.

“My grandkids come over here a lot, and I don’t want them touching them,” Lowry said.

Leingang said she has also had a man banging on her door in the middle of the night, trying to get in. She said she and other neighbors call police every time.

Police said a man drove his truck into the motel in March after he was turned down for sex by two women. In full view of an officer, he returned to the scene and hurled a cantaloupe-sized rock that hit the head of one of the women, police said.

Cox Media Group