PREVENTING DAMAGE TO VACANT PROPERTIES

Damaged and blighted properties lower home values, decrease security, and affect the general feeling of well-being in a neighborhood. When vacant properties are open to trespass because of broken windows and doors, they become breeding grounds for squatting and illegal activity. In addition, these properties further destabilize neighborhoods as residents begin to flee fearing further decline in neighborhood safety and property values. Therefore, preventing damage to existing vacant properties and addressing damage quickly must be a goal of any successful Vacant Property Strategy.

Possible Actions or Responses:

Residents in Detroit and other similar communities have taken innovative approaches to preventing damage to vacant properties in their neighborhoods.

• Hiring a paid security service
• Creating a volunteer security patrol
  
• Compiling an on-call buddy system to escort community members to and from their front door after dark
  
• Forming a code enforcement patrol
  
• Installing motion detectors
  
• Compiling a telephone and email contact list to be notified in the event of suspicious activity
  
• Working with city officials to install blockades reducing the number of entrances and exits in the neighborhood
  
• Hanging curtains
  
• Planting flowers
  
• Mowing lawns
  
• Moving trash containers
  
• Installing solar powered lighting

Communities often find that these types of actions are more beneficial to the preservation of property values than actual boarding.

Once a vacant house is open to trespass, it is imperative that the community utilize local code enforcement authorities to prevent crime. Neighbors should contact local code enforcement authorities to attempt to get them to secure and board these properties in a timely manner.

Please note that some of the strategies above involve what may be considered trespass, which could lead to arrest, or civil lawsuits filed against the alleged perpetrator. While we are not aware of trespass charges being charged, DVPC feels obligated to make interested parties aware of this information. As a result, we have included information regarding identifying and working with the field servicer associated with particular properties. Agreement with the field servicer can make it possible for community members to gain lawful access to the vacant properties in their neighborhoods.