TOWSON, Md. — When a problematic motel shut down in Towson, neighboring businesses hoped their troubles would end. Instead, they say the issues simply moved across the street to another hotel, creating ongoing safety concerns for the area.

Jordan Levine has owned commercial property next to the Comfort Inn for 25 years. He says police have shut down his business twice recently because of barricade situations at the hotel.

Last week, Maryland State Police busted a sex trafficking ring there involving minors.

"We had a SWAT team. We were barricaded in our building for at least an hour or two, where nobody could even leave the building," Levine said.

When the Days Inn on Loch Raven Boulevard closed earlier this year, many thought the problems would disappear. Instead, business owners sa

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