A local 'Bawdy House Law,' adopted in the early 1900s to fight brothels, allows landlords to evict tenants involved in illegal activity. If landlords fail to take action, the law allows others to demand an eviction.

Using the law, city officials are sending registered letters to property owners when a drug arrest is made at a residence, giving the owner 10 days to start eviction proceedings. If no action is taken, the city will ask the courts to evict the offender; landlords also face a $5,000 fine.

Local officials say that while some landlords may be afraid to evict drug-dealing tenants, residents are frustrated when people are arrested by police but end up back in their houses the next day.

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