New York / Vienna – The so-called “Nuisance Abatement” law is a powerful tool of the New York police. It allows officials to “eliminate” the eponymous “disorders” in a neighborhood. In other words: If there is a suspicion that a crime such as drug dealing or arms smuggling is being committed in an apartment or other premises, the police officers can, after a court order and without warning, put the tenants on the street and close the apartment. Originally introduced in the fight against illegal brothels in Times Square, in recent years there has been increasing arbitrariness.
–
