In March, the city considered legal action to close two hotels for “criminal nuisance” as reported by LubbockLights.com. Since then, one has made improvements and the other – Executive Inn, 4401 Avenue Q – still has trouble with two shootings last week, adding to reasons the city will again consider legal action to shut it down.
“We’re focusing on the Executive Inn,” Seth Herman, Lubbock Police Chief, told LubbockLights.com this week.
When asked if the hotel made any progress since our previous report, Herman said, “No, none whatsoever. Not that I’m aware of.”
The department asked the hotels to discourage criminal activity, Herman said previously.
That includes lighting, fences, trimming shrubbery and not renting rooms to customers who might engage in organized crime, gang activity and the other crimes.
“Obviously, our goal is conscious compliance, to have them comply with whatever necessary changes are required in order to curtail the ongoing criminal activity – and more importantly, the aggravated assaults – the shootings,” Herman said.
Beyond the hotels, the police are starting to look at a few bars in the city they have concerns about (more about that below).
What the city can do in court
A provision in state law allows the city to sue a business and get a court order to stop tolerating certain crimes labeled as “nuisances.” The process is called abatement.
Courts can order a business to close for one year. Or a judge can issue temporary or permanent injunctions if the business stays open. Click here to see the state’s Nuisance Abatement manual for local governments.
“Our city legal [team] has already made contact with the owner’s representation again to discuss the matter and set up a meeting, and if necessary, we’ll move forward with the abatement process,” Herman said.
One of the owners, Arun Dihenia, in a brief phone call with LubbockLights.com said he had not heard from the city recently. He wanted to check with his attorney before saying more.
A Lubbock Police Department spokesperson, Kasie Davis, in response via email, said, “We can confirm the city has reached out to the owner’s attorney to set up a meeting/phone call.”
Herman said, “We’re more than prepared to move forward with that from both the criminal enforcement side and from the abatement side.”
In March, police provided information on calls to the Executive Inn from May 1, 2024 to February 20, 2025. There were 435 calls over the course of 295 days. That worked out to almost 45 calls per month.
Police then provided an update with calls from May 1, 2024 to August 22. There were 731 police calls over 478 days. That worked out to almost 47 calls per month – a slight increase since our March story.
Baymont making progress
The other hotel in our previous reporting was the Baymont Inn and Suites at 601 Avenue Q.
“I actually walked over there this weekend, and they seem to have been making some progress on updating the facility itself. … And I’m going to assume that they’ve changed their protocol on clientele that they’ll allow to stay,” Herman said.
LubbockLights.com reached out to the owner of the Baymont via text message. He declined a chance to comment.
Problem bars could be next
Police have other problem properties beyond the two hotels. They’re identifying the most “egregious violators” and working down the list.
“There’s a couple of bars, and I’ll leave it at that. We’re working with TABC pretty closely,” Herman said.
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission spokesman Chris Porter said, “TABC is working with Chief Herman and LPD staff to plan operations to respond to public safety issues.”
Porter also said there are no specifics yet.
TABC can impose fines or take action against a bar’s liquor license, Herman said.
“If that doesn’t work, then we’ll move forward with the abatement process,” Herman said.
