KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
Authorities have arrested a dozen people, cleaning up what they call a "drug crime haven."
Police say the Extended Stay Inn motel located off Interstate 35 and Northeast Antioch Road has been rife with crime and drugs. The motel acts as a temporary home for some customers.
Officers were investigating a recent rape and robbery on the property, and the health department followed up on past violations and reports of current conditions.
Kansas City police conducted inspections in the rooms Wednesday, and they say they found drugs, drug paraphernalia, rooms with pet feces, faulty wiring and smoke detectors that didn't work.
There was also an infestation of mice and roaches, according to police.
Social services also arrived to either place children with other relatives or with them.
In addition to arresting nearly a dozen people for drugs, a stolen car was recovered as well.
Authorities said they have tried to work with the owner about the living conditions, but the owner has been uncooperative in dealing with the crime and living condition improvements.
The Kansas City Health Department has declared the motel unfit to live in. Residents have less than 24 hours to remove their belongings from the property.
Many residents said they have no place to go.
Police worry about customers who have been here for a while, as well as those passing through.
"They get here, rent a room in the middle of the night, not knowing the danger they could be in. We had a rape last week, we had an armed robbery in the parking lot two weeks ago," Sgt. Daniel Graves said.
But residents also bring trouble with them.
"We found various narcotics, meth pipes and marijuana," Graves said.
Mike Patel, the motel's owner, returned to his property late Wednesday afternoon. He said he will work with the municipal officials to get the motel up to code.
Patel was asked tough questions from authorities about the squalid conditions of the building and how he let it get so bad. He blamed the manager for the problems, and said he was shocked to learn that his property was condemned Wednesday.
"It was a surprise to me," he said. "I don't come here much, maybe once or twice a week, every other week. Nobody complained to me, but if someone complained, I would have stepped in at that point."
But Ashlee Watson says that is not true.
"I'd wake up in the middle of the night with fleas biting me, and I'd come and complain and nothing happens," said Watson.
The fee was just $230 a week, and for the people couldn't afford to live somewhere else, they reluctantly lived there.
William Mabery used his last funds to pay this week's rent.
"I don't know if I'm going to get a refund," he said.
One man received $87 back, which is giving him enough money for his family to sleep somewhere clean and safe Wednesday night.
Extended Stay offered customers rooms at their Lawrence location, but many don't have vehicles to take them there.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
