NUISANCE ABATEMENT

What is Nuisance Abatement?

The El Paso County Attorney’s Nuisance Abatement Team (NAT), uses civil legislation, such as Chapter 125 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code and Section 101.70 of the Texas Beverage Code (Texas Nuisance Abatement Statutes) to mitigate and/or combat common and public nuisances occurring on properties. These nuisance abatement statues help address crimes such as prostitution, human trafficking, drug trafficking, narcotics related crimes, crimes involving firearms, robbery, massage therapy code violations, alcohol violations and other various aggravated crimes. The purpose of a nuisance abatement lawsuit is not charge a person with a crime, but rather prove that the business/property owner allowed the illegal activity to occur on their property and failed to make reasonable attempts to stop it.

Which Nuisances Can't Be Addressed by Our Office?

The El Paso County Attorney’s Nuisance Abatement Team (NAT) can't address nuisances such as barking dogs, loud neighbors, weeds, trash, junked or abandoned cars.

What Can Civil Law Accomplish That Criminal Law Can’t?

When law enforcement prosecutes, it can seek only criminal penalties, such as prison or probation. By using civil law, the NAT can seek other creative remedies designed to provide community members with relief tailored to the specific harms created by the nuisance property. Examples of some of these remedies include or revoking a lease, fines, or closing the premises. Civil law can result in a court order that eliminates a number of quality of life issues plaguing a community.

What Is The Process For Responding To Complaints?

1. Report: The NAT receives word via e-mail, telephone call, etc. of a potential property.
2. Intake: Information regarding the potential nuisance property is processed and filed in our NAT database for monitoring.
3. Review Police Activity: NAT looks into police reports and communicates with community officers to track the history of police activity on the property.
4. Determine Whether Actionable: If the activity occurring on the property qualifies it as actionable under the Texas Nuisance Abatement Statutes and, in the judgment of the El Paso County Attorney, is otherwise a good fit to be addressed using these statutes, the NAT may issue a certified letter owner or begin legal action.

How Can I Make A Complaints On A Suspected Criminal Nuisance Property?

If you believe that a property in your community is a criminal nuisance, you can make a complaint to the NAT by calling 915-273-3238 or by e-mailing NATreporting@epcountytx.gov. You can also file a complaint by filing out an online complaint form. Please note that failure to provide the required / necessary information may impede or preclude the investigation of your complaint by the NAT. To file an online complaint please click on the button below:

Submit an online Nuisance Abatement Complaint

Helpful Links/Contacts

• NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE: 1-888-373-7888
• EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL COMMANDS
• TEXAS ALCOHOL BEVERAGE COMMISSION
• TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES