D.C. Law enforcement officials are trying to seize control of a house with a bad reputation.

The U.S. Attorney for the District calls it an example of the police and prosecutors responding to citizen complaints about a problem house. In the Northeast neighborhood, the address 1923 Rhode Island Avenue is notorious. In an affidavit, one D.C. Police officer described it as a long-time location for illicit activity.

"Since at least April 2000, the house and property at 1923 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C., have come to the attention of police because of a shooting on the front porch, drug sales and use in the house, related disorderly conduct, and residents' activities with prostitutes, " wrote Ofc. Jeffrey Maslona in the affidavit.

D.C. police have raided the house at least six times since 2000, including four times in the past ten months.

Fifteen people, including the home's owner Odell Hale, have been arrested in those raids, but each time prosecutors say the problems came back.

The 1.5 story home has been generating complaints for years. Neighbors say one woman became so fed up she moved out of the neighboerhood. "Drug paraphernalia, condoms littering the street, visitors at all hours of the night," said neighbor Jeffery Taylor.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is trying to seize the property, calling it a public nuisance.  It's a rare, but not unheard of, move when properties and their owners refuse to comply with the law

"This is a property and an owner who has plagued the community for years," said U.S. Attorney Jeffery Taylor

The hearing on the government's motion is set for September 12.

Click HERE to read Ofc. Maslona's Affidavit.
Click HERE to read the court documents.