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Police will launch a focused 11-point strategic plan to reduce crime in the Randleman Road area and evaluate its results before moving forward with any plans to shut down a strip club there, officials announced Tuesday.

Responding to an invitation to speak before the City Council, police addressed Sugar Bare Lost Dimensions at 510 Farragut St. — the site of an April 12 homicide — and steps to reduce crime in the area. 

Since the homicide, the club has been discussed for a possible nuisance abatement seizure by the city. Officials said the number of 911 calls from the club since January 2006 would not qualify it for civil seizure though that would remain an option for the future. 

“The call load and the 911 calls that have come from 510 Farragut St. do not meet the criteria for nuisance abatement, but on the other end, the type of calls we are receiving are serious enough we would have to look at (it),” Chief Tim Bellamy said. 

Mary Smith, the mother of 30-year-old Carlton Smith — the victim of the April 12 shooting — urged the City Council to do whatever it takes to prevent another family from losing a loved one at the club. 

“Most mothers buy their child a cake for their birthday. Guess what: I bought my son a casket,” Smith said of burying her son the day before his birthday. “I pray another mother never has to go what I’m going through.” 

Overall, the club has averaged 3.4 calls for service per month since January 2006, according to police records. Of those, the most frequent calls have been about suspicious persons (14) and suspicious vehicles (13). A total of four stabbing and shooting calls were reported; two were homicides. 

By comparison, the Budget Inn next door at 512 Farragut St. — which is open 24 hours a day — averaged 23.1 calls per month during the same time frame. The highest numbers were for suspicious vehicles (93), suspicious activity (87) and suspicious persons (66). The motel also had four stabbing or shooting calls during the same period, but no homicides.  

Owners of both businesses have blamed each other for crime in the area. 

While seizing the club will remain a future option, police said they will institute a plan over the next 60 days to reduce crime and analyze its impact. 

“We are not trying to run anyone out of business,” Capt. Chris Walker, who designed the plan, said after the presentation to the council. “We want to make sure we are being reasonable and making the area safe for the community.” 

The plan includes:
 

• Increased weekend patrols.
   
• Checks of businesses for overcrowding and compliance with alcohol sales and security standards.
   
• Prostitution stings.
   
• Addressing after-hours trespassing.
   
• Continued meetings with business owners.
   
• Operations addressing drug sales and quality-of-life issues.
   
• Fugitive roundups.
   
• Continued monitoring of calls for service.
   
• Increased traffic enforcement.
   
• Continued analysis of quality-of-life problems at extended-stay hotels like the Budget Inn.
   
• Work with city planners on property issues, such as erecting a fence between the motel and club. 

The plan is similar to the High Point Road strategic plan launched last fall, which is credited with reducing crime in that area by 36 percent over four months. 

Police are still looking for leads in Smith’s killing, which happened in the club’s parking lot while he attempted to stop a car-jacking. The shooter made off in a 2008 Dodge Charger, which was recovered badly burned April 17 in Darlington, S.C. 

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 373-1000.