Crime & Safety

Police, City Inspectors Crack Down On Windom Motels

Owners struggling with unruly guests.

After a faked bomb threat and one of the stranger muggings Southwest Minneapolis has likely ever seen, City of Minneapolis officials are trying to ratchet up pressure on the owners of the Aqua City and Metro Inn motels in the Windom neighborhood.

According to the Southwest Journal, the Minneapolis health inspectors, police officers, and officials with the state fire marshal's office made an unannounced snap inspection of both establishments and are working on other efforts in tandem with the Windom Neighborhood Council to get the businesses to shape up.

Inspectors discovered many code violations at the motels, and the Journal reports that they are considering drawing up new license agreements with both businesses to include new conditions. Such agreements are typically used to force a businesses to fix code violations or clean up its act.

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Windom residents complain that both motels are a frequent source of trouble, including occasional drug deals. Patch has reported on at least three dramatic incidents at each motel this year:

  • In February, an Aqua City Motel resident bit her cousin and smashed up windows during a domestic dispute.
  • In July, an Aqua City resident made a fake bomb threat, prompting a large police response. 
  • In August, a woman denied a room at the Metro Inn stole a Windom resident's car after beating the driver with a high-heeled shoe.

The neighborhood and motel owners are working together to address a recent rise in community complaints.

Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Have you seen an uptick in problem guests at either motel? 


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