LAKELAND, Fla. - A home in Lakeland is now under the city's control after it was deemed a "safe haven for illegal activity."

The city's nuisance abatement board decided, based on a pattern of criminal activity over numerous years, including shootings, criminals, and guns hidden inside, that the home at 1639 Norman Drive needed to be shut down for at least a year.

"When you have bad things happening within the vicinity, and this becomes the 'get out of jail free' or safe home base where people run, that's a problem," said Lt. Joe Parker with LPD's Community Services Group and Neighborhood Liaison Unit.

A sign was drilled into the home to reinforce the message that this type of behavior cannot be tolerated.

A homeowner can self-abate, or, as in this case, police can step in if the pr

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