Chattanooga prosecutors played two surveillance videos this morning to support their argument that a convenience store in College Hill Courts is a public nuisance.
The Westside Shop was padlocked last week after a judge approved a temporary version of Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston's 47-page petition.
Criminal Court Judge Tom Greenholtz was cautious today not to hold a full evidentiary hearing without the Westside Shop's owner present. He set another hearing on May 9 and allowed prosecutors to introduce just two videos.
The shop has retained a lawyer, Douglas Cox, who focused today on how many videos prosecutors had of alleged criminal activity and whether it was connected to Westside or just violence in the area.
"There weren't any employees at Westside who were participants, were there?" Douglas asked after one video depicted a brawl outside the store, which is part of a handful of retail shops on Grove Street that have since shut down.
"No," said Chattanooga officer Curtis Penney.
Prosecutors called Penney, who routinely surveils alleged gang members on social media, and officer Kyle Moses, who patrols the public housing area.
"If this is going to approach the level of hearing I think [the owner] needs to be here," Douglas said. "But if we're just going to play a video, I have no problem with that. I'd like to get this worked out."
Greenholtz echoed the same concern and asked prosecutors to turn over whatever surveillance videos they plan to use to Cox as soon as possible.
Westside will remain closed as long as the temporary order is in place. The shop can create a plan to reform its behavior and reopen its doors.
But some activists and community members expressed concern last week that closing the only grocer in the area hurts many black working class families who don't have access to food, healthcare, or transportation.
Pinkston said his office was mindful of the problem and have discussed it with several community members, including District 7 councilman Erskine Oglesby, who attended the hearing.
"But while it does provide a service," Pinkston said, "in our opinion, it needs to be more orderly."
This is a developing story. Please check back later for more updates.