GRETNA, La. — From drug overdoses to prostitution and gun violence, police say the Oasis Motel is a hub for crime in Gretna.
Gretna Police say there have been 150 calls to 911 from the location in the past two years.
Patience Gambino’s fiancé died from a drug overdose in his truck in the motel parking lot. She says he wasn’t found for about eight hours, an experience she described as heartbreaking.
“I broke down crying, and I didn’t believe it at first,” Gambino said. “It needs to be shut down. It needs to be completely shut down.”
But Patience’s family isn’t alone, four other overdose deaths were reported at the motel over the past two years. On Wednesday, Gretna City Council met with the motel's owner, where he asked for more time.
“I want to try to fix the problems,” Motel owner Bing Wang said. “I want to do my best. I do whatever city hall say.”
Motel Owner Bing Wang says he’s trying to eliminate the crime too. In recent months, he renovated parts of the motel, raised the nightly rate to $80, and is encouraging visitors to pay with credit cards instead of cash.
Since Wang made these changes, the 911 calls have decreased. Gretna Chief of Police says he’s still keeping a close eye on the motel.
“We’re not a community that tolerates this kind of behavior,” Gretna Chief of Police Arthur Lawson said. “And we’re going to continue to monitor it.”
The city council announced that no action will be taken against the motel at this time.
“A lot of families are going through what we’re going through,” Gambino said. “It’s heartbreaking to see that.”
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