EAST LIVERPOOL Officials in East Liverpool have boarded up a house they say has caused problems for a long time in the city.

Officials including Housing Director Amy Grossen, Mayor Robert Smith and Police Chief John Lane at a house on the 700 block of Sophia Street to board it up and declare it a nuisance.

Grossen tells 21 News there have been a lot of problems at this house and that it has been boarded up before, but people kept breaking into the house. Grossen added that there were problems with drugs at the house.

One example of this is a drug raid conducted at this address in January of 2022, in which suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a handgun were seized.

A more recent drug raid was conducted in May of 2025, which resulted in five people being arrested and the seizure of suspected methamphetamine and crack cocaine, as well as drug paraphernalia and packaging material consistent with drug trafficking. 

The house was boarded up once again, this time with padlocks to prevent people from continuing to break in. 

Grossen says the city is in contact with the owner of the home and will attempt to work with them to address the situation. A hearing will be held with the owner, but the exact date of that hearing is unknown at this time.