Code Enforcement Raid Finds Overcrowding at Riverside Auto Shop

An October raid by Southampton town code enforcement, investigators and fire marshalls on a Riverside auto repair shop revealed more than 130 violations, including overcrowding and a tarp-covered roof for a group of apartment rooms above the store officials said on Tuesday.

A search warrant raid at 48 Old Quogue Rd. on Oct. 5 revealed 19 people, including school-aged children, living in the apartments above the shop and that the owner owed nearly $40,000 in back taxes.

An investigation uncovered many windows with broken or missing glass and a dilapidated roof that was partially covered by a tarp to block water from coming into the bedrooms below. Investigators found no working smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors, electrical and plumbing violations and overcrowding, according to a statement made by the town.

“The structure was determined to be unsafe,” said Chief Town Investigator David Betts. “The building is constructed mostly of wood with apartments above an auto repair shop.”

The property's owner, Helen Goff, was also found to owe up to three years of taxes and interest, officials said. Goff has paid her taxes two to three years late since 2003, tax receiver Theresa Kiernan said, and still owes taxes for 2008, 2009 and 2010 totaling $39,663.94.

Investigators said they were notified of the violations by neighbors who complained of the conditions on the property.

A hearing has been planned for Nov. 9 to decide whether the property is unsafe and to "direct the Town Attorney and the Chief Fire Marshall to take whatever steps are necessary to bring the property into conformance." The hearing will be open to the public and will take place at Southampton Town Hall at 1 p.m.