The Eyesore Next Door
Neighbors say vacant house near Smoke Ranch & Jones is a hangout for kids
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Neighbors in one Valley community say a vacant house is now a hangout for kids. They say windows are being broken and trash is littering the property. Someone is cleaning it up, but they say not often enough. Video by ktnv.com
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Neighbors don't know who covered it up.
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The house is near Smoke Ranch & Jones.
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Neighbors don't know who broke the glass but think that's how trespassers are going into it.
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You can see the board next to the door. Neighbors say it was once covering the door.
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Neighbors say they've seen people inside the house.
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Neighbors in one Valley community say a vacant house is now a hangout for kids. They say windows are being broken and trash is littering the property. Someone is cleaning it up, but they say not often enough.
"It's a huge problem all over town," said Lenore Falco.
For Lenore that problem is right next to her home near Jones and Smoke Ranch. She says it's a well known fact that the home has been vacant for years.
"I saw a bunch of kids come through here on bicycles and I thought what are they doing," said Lenore.
Lenore can't say for sure, but she does know someone smashed the glass to the sliding door in the back. Her daughter took pictures but when Action News went out to the house, it had been boarded up. Lenore says the boards never stay up for long.
"I'm afraid that this house will catch on fire and take my house with it," said Lenore.
She says the homeowners moved to Oregon and according to the Clark County Assessor's web site, it's still in their name.
We tried getting in touch with them but never did get a call back. But it seems someone is aware of the problems there. Action News found a piece of paper near the front porch from Safeguard Properties. It lists Seterus as the mortgagee.
It shows since September seven different inspectors have been out to the home to see what conditions it is in. Each time, they noted fair. But Lenore wonders how they came to that conclusion.
"Were they blind didn't they see all the broken glass and the weeds and the dust," said Lenore.
We tried calling Safeguard Properties but they hung up on us.
Seterus tells us they did contract Safeguard Properties to maintain the home.
As a result of our call, they're going to follow up.
Action News found out last January, the City's Code Enforcement issued a notice to the owner after they learned the home was open and accessible. They say the owner secured the property. But Lenore says those pictures her daughter took a few days ago just show how it's a never ending cycle.
"I take care of my property as best I can. I follow the law, pay my taxes, you know somebody needs to maintain this property," said Lenore.
Right now, the property is secure and Lenore can only help it will go on the market soon. Action News did a call from the homeowner Tuesday afternoon. She says she moved out of the house in August 2009 and surrendered the house as part of a bankruptcy proceeding last year. She says she can't understand why it's still in her name. So now Action News is looking into that.
There are so many eyesore houses in Southern Nevada. If you have one in your neighborhood send an email to 13investigates@ktnv.com
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