Omaha police meet with Motel 6 over ongoing problems near Westgate neighborhood

OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — Earlier this month, local reporter Molly Hudson told you about a Motel 6 that neighbors and police say is causing problems near 84th Street and Grover. We learned that the story led to a meeting between Motel 6 corporate headquarters, local management and security personnel, and Omaha police to discuss how to fix the problems.

TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:
Westgate neighbors like Terry Anderson are seeing the changes they want in their neighborhood.

“The police had a greater presence in Westgate,” Anderson said.

Officers are increasing patrols in the area around this Motel 6 after neighbors told police they wanted the property cleaned up.

Omaha Police Captain John Sokolik confirmed by phone that he attended the meeting with Motel 6, which was also attended by the local owner, the motel’s security and two people from the chain’s corporate headquarters.

Sokolik says several things were discussed, such as cleaning the exterior of the building, ensuring all guests pay for their stay and ways to reduce the number of emergency calls to the motel.

The latter is a problem that neighbors and OPD have mentioned several times.

So reporter Molly Hudson made a request to find out how often police are called here. And here’s what Hudson found: hundreds of calls since 2021, 24 pages of logs. In the first 5 months of this year alone? 130 calls.

The types of calls are varied and range from car theft, hung-up emergency calls, theft and trespassing to wanted criminals and more.

“This is nothing new, but it will take efforts on many levels to turn the situation in the neighborhood around better,” Anderson said.

Hudson has reached out to the owner of the local franchise and asked about the meeting with police and his plans, but has not received a response.

A Motel 6 spokesperson issued this statement:

“Our safety and brand performance teams continue to work closely with the Omaha Police Department and this Motel 6 franchisee to ensure ongoing dialogue so that any concerns can be quickly addressed and the hotel is a safe and welcoming place for all guests, team members and the community. We hold ourselves and our franchisees to the highest safety standards and are committed to being a partner with local law enforcement and helping in any way we can to combat crime or violence in the community.” – A Motel 6 spokesperson

The exterior of the building has been discussed, the neighbors want the garbage picked up and the windows repaired.

“Fixing these problems would go a long way toward improving the overall value of the facility and, therefore, the neighborhood,” Anderson said.

While Captain Sokolik told Hudson that Motel 6 is doing its part to be a good neighbor, neighbors like Anderson know that takes time.

“I think it gives some hope to those who have been really upset, so to speak, over the last month or two,” Anderson said.