BUNNELL, Fla. — As a first for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, rather than pursuing a case criminally, a group of alleged drug dealers are being sued civilly.
Officials say the new tactic is grabbing the attention of other law enforcement agencies, especially when deputies’ hands are tied in a case.
What You Need To Know
- The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is pursuing five individuals who have been reported to law enforcement more than 100 times over various alleged illegal activity
- The office is using the civil courts to evict the owner and four individuals from the property
- While the individuals still own the property and pay property tax, they can't physically be there
- Neighbors told Spectrum News they are thrilled with this new tactic
Cecelia Gallico has lived in her Bunnell home for 19 years and says she never expected her happy place to end up next to an alleged drug house.
"They had, I think, eight people sitting on the grass in handcuffs," said Gallico.
It was a problem that had been ongoing for five years, and Gallico said she thought the arrests would put an end to it. But the next day the she said the group was back.
That’s why officials at the Flagler Sheriff’s Office say they are using a new tactic to cut down on problem properties like this one.
"We got a court order that permanently evicts the owner and the other four individuals that were identified from being on that property, living there, and having anything to do with it," said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.
Even though the individuals can’t physically go on property, they still own it, which Staly said means they still have to pay taxes on it.
He said they will soon lose their homestead exemption, which will allow officers to do more if the home remains an issue in the future.
"I think our sheriff did the right thing," Gallico said. "I think he is awesome — he’s done the best he can to clean this place up. I applaud him."
Now that the property is up for sale, Gallico said she is hoping for some nice new neighbors.