'I'm happy that it's finally been taken care of.' Residents relieved town condemns Coliseum Motor Inn
In a News 12 exclusive, a Town of Hempstead representative said the motel was shut down.
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The East Meadow community is breathing a sigh of relief Wednesday after learning that the Town of Hempstead condemned the Coliseum Motor Inn.
In a News 12 exclusive, a Town of Hempstead representative said the motel was shut down. The town released a statement saying in part, "Coliseum Motor Inn in East Meadow was closed due to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions."
Police say the Coliseum Motor Inn was plagued with criminal activity. They say police were called to the site more than 200 times last year.
MORE: 'I have nowhere to go tonight.' Town of Hempstead condemns Coliseum Inn, residents moved out
Residents and business owners say they are happy to see the motel closed down.
"I'm happy that it's finally been taken care of," says Debbie Amendola, of East Meadow. "We would see people in our driveway with the Ring camera in the middle of the night going through cars. I mean that's been going on for years, so it's about time it should be condemned."
As News 12 has reported, two weeks ago three men were arrested for allegedly having crack cocaine in their rooms at the Coliseum Motor Inn. Nassau police say the motel has been plagued with overdoses in addition to criminal activity.
James Sanicola, of Rena Marie Jewelers in East Meadow, says the motel was an eyesore and impacted business.
"I'm actually happy that it's closed," says Sanicola. "It should've been closed years ago."
Officials say the more than a dozen residents who were forced out of the motel Tuesday have all been relocated to another motel in Hicksville.
