The Eyesore Next Door
Neighbors call eyesore house a homeless camp
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Neighbors describe it as a homeless camp, a vacant home that they're sick of babysitting. As Action News found out, it's a house city officials are very aware of. So why is this house still a mess? Frustrated neighbors turned to Action News to investigate this eyesore next door.
"It's been an eyesore for 7 years," said Jean Norton.
"It's getting frustrating," explained Julie Breeler.
Neighbors Jean and Julie say they're not going to sit and wait for their community to be brought down by a house on their block.
"It's an attractive nuisance," said Jean.
They say people come and go from the house near Charleston and Maryland whenever they want. Trash litters the front yard including a couple of keys that Julie thinks were for the house before the locks were switched.
"The motor home in the back has open doors," said Jean.
Julie says she can see the trespassers from her house across the street.
"I'm ready to take the man peanut butter and jelly sandwiches so he has something to eat while he's living there," explained Julie.
Las Vegas police confirm they were just out at the house at the end of June after getting a call someone was inside. But by the time they got here they didn't see anything. They're not the only ones who are familiar with this house.
"Code enforcement has been responsive," said Jean.
Action News called the City's code enforcement department. They told us they've had five cases on this property since 2009. They've even slapped the owner with a $300 inspection free and $150 civil penalty fee.
"You can write code enforcement and they can issue citation after citation but that's not solving the problem," said Julie.
A couple of days after Action News was at the house, progress is being made. The weeds are chopped down and a new lock is on the back gate, all improvements the city says were made by the homeowner.
But Julie says the backyard and inside of the house is still filled with trash, something that may not change soon.
"There's roof rats over there," said Julie.
So Julie and Jean says they'll continue to be proactive in keeping an eye out on this house.
"If a community sticks together and says yes this is a problem we notify officials we notify the proper agencies the system will work," said Jean.
Together, Jean and Julie are helping make Las Vegas a better place to live. If you see a house in your community that you think is an eyesore contact your city's code enforcement department. Click here to learn how you can do so.
You can also let us know about the property too. Just send an email to 13investigates@ktnv.com, be sure to include your phone number.
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