Article by Todd Matthews

Two narcotics search warrants were served yesterday morning at the Winthrop Hotel in downtown Tacoma, resulting in the arrests of five people on a variety of charges tied to alleged illegal drug activity, according Tacoma Police Department.

Among the arrestees were several alleged drug dealers, users, and a sex offender staying at one of the apartments with several young women, said Sector One Lt. Commander Corey Darlington. Warrant arrests were also made.

Lt. Darlington said officers from TPD's Special Investigations Unit, along with community liaison bike officers, spent approximately one month organizing and coordinating the arrests through undercover buys and other tactics. "We had always been aware of the activity," he said. "We're always continuously addressing activities downtown, but resources are limited."

Inside apartments where arrests were made, Lt. Darlington described a grim scene.

"The apartments were in deplorable condition," he said. "Clothes and debris were piled high." He said officers also found young children living among the debris.

TPD has recommended Winthrop managers evict the tenants arrested yesterday.

"If management follows through with our recommendation, the primary tenants in the problem units should be receiving three-day notices to evict," said Lt. Darlington. "But we don't have control over that. That's something for management to follow through on."

He also cautioned against the idea that yesterday's arrests would eliminate what TPD believes to be long-standing public safety and chronic nuisance issues associated with the building. According to TPD statistics, the Winthrop is the number one location downtown for emergency service providers responding to calls for service.

"This isn't the end of it," Lt. Darlington added. "Until there are significant changes, this activity will continue. Once we arrest one or two or five, the other drug dealers will take their place within a short span of time."

Still, downtown merchant and property owner Laura Hanan praised police efforts yesterday.

"Those two people have been bringing many undesirable people into this neighborhood and it is great that they are both where they belong, in jail," said Hanan. "Kudos to the Tacoma Police Department for their hard work and making these arrests stick."

Hanan has consistently documented alleged illegal activity in the area around the Winthrop Hotel.

"She has been very helpful to the police department and her assistance directly translated in the operation that took place yesterday," said Lt. Darlington. "I give her credit for being an active community member and taking a stand against criminal and nuisance elements downtown, and representing that business district."

The future of the Winthrop is uncertain.

Currently, two developers are pursuing separate options for the 194-unit, 81-year-old building that currently serves low-income, affordable housing residents downtown.

One developer, AF Evans, wants to convert the building into a blended mix of market-rate and low-income, affordable housing apartments. Another developer, Citizens Hotel, wants to turn the building into a four-star hotel, and create 250 units of affordable housing elsewhere for current Winthrop residents who stand to be displaced.

This article originally appeared in the 4 October 2006 edition of the Tacoma Daily Index