On Wednesday, November 17, the Sedalia Police Department’s Crime Resolution Unit, Criminal Investigations Unit and Patrol Officers served an Order to Cease and Desist at an area hotel.

According to a press release, the cooperative investigation conducted by the City of Sedalia Code Enforcement and the Sedalia Police Department Crime Resolution Unit served the order to American Inn Hotel, located at 1217 South Limit Avenue. The business was found to be in violation of City Codes prohibiting against maintaining a nuisance property and operating as an unlicensed business.

During the past year, the Sedalia City Council has enacted ordinances that proactively focus on reducing nuisance properties where criminal activity occurs. The ordinances provide the Police Department and Code Enforcement the necessary regulations to take lawful action against businesses or residents that allow their property to be used for criminal activity.

Authorities say American Inn Hotel has been given opportunities to comply with City Code to include business license violation notices in May and July and a letter served by personal service in September 2021. Citations were issued to the owners of the property, however, the owners allegedly failed to appear in court to address the citations.

Authorities say based on these incidents, the following notice has been issued and posted at the business:

“NOTICE: This Premises is Currently Operating Without a Business License or Permit to Operate as a Hotel. By Order of the Chief of Police this Premises has been ordered to be closed and all. Tenants will be ordered to leave no later than November 29, 2021. Any tenants still on the premises on November 29, 2021, will be required to immediately leave at their own expense. It is illegal to remove this notice from the premises.”