Woman Starts Petition to Shut Down Woodbury Motel

Melanie Snyder is an angry woman, and her fury is directed at the Red Roof Inn in Woodbury.

"It's just been a constant trend of horrible activity," Snyder said

Snyder got so fed up with the crime riddled place that she started an online petition to shut it down. She is shooting for 500 signatures and right now has just over 250.

The city says, this year police have been called to the Red Roof Inn 107 times. The calls range from police being called to serve an arrest warrant to suspicious activity.

What pushed Snyder over the edge is the shooting that took place Aug. 31 at the motel.

Police responded to a 911 call where 24-year-old Demetrius Ballinger allegedly held 11 people hostage for nearly four hours. In the end, he gave up but Woodbury police shot and killed 18-year-old Mark Henderson, a hostage in the situation.

The city is well aware of the problems with the Red Roof Inn. But, Mayor Mary Stephens says, the city has limited power in regulating businesses.

"We are looking at all our options to deal with the situation, whether it be public safety, code enforcement or community development," Mayor Stephens said.

During public public comment period at the city council meeting Wednesday night, two people complained about the Red Roof Inn. The council put the issue on its agenda for Sept. 25.