South Nashville's Thrifty Inn Padlocked As 'Public Nuisance'

NASHVILLE, TN — After 586 police calls in three years, a Nashville judge ordered the closure of the Thrifty Inn at Interstate 24 and Harding Place Friday.

Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier declared the motel a public nuisance, issuing a temporary injunction and padlocking order. The motel's owner, Kiranbhai Patel, will make a court appearance Wednesday.

Metro Police say that between January 1, 2014 through this month, South Precinct officers have responded to 586 calls on a variety of crime reports, including illegal drug sales, domestic disturbances, thefts, and shots fired.

“The Thrifty Inn has proven to be a drain on resources,” Chief Steve Anderson said. “The men and women of the South Precinct work to protect a 70 square mile area. It is not fair to other neighborhoods and businesses when we have to keep sending officers to the same place for the same issues, over and over, for years.”

The judge's order also directs that the Metro Health Department, Fire Marshal’s Office and Codes Department inspect the motel. Metro Health received at least three complaints about bed bugs at The Thrifty Inn during 2016. Two of the three complaints resulted in the confirmed presence of bed bugs.

Image via MNPD