Action Against those Squatting in Foreclosed Houses
Photo by Woodleywonderworks
The police department of Vallejo City has recently displayed astonishment at the large increase of complaints about squatters since the increase in foreclosure numbers. Speaking on behalf of the police, Sgt. Jeff Basset remarked, “It was something that almost never occurred before, but because we have more vacant properties, it does occur occasionally now”.
Without the active cooperation of the owner, there is little police can do to control squatters. They have to find out the owner and the latter has to tell them that the occupants are not supposed to be there. If a banks is the owner of the foreclosed property, it make it even harder to reach them.
Faced with these hurdles and the continuing of the squatter problem, many communities have come forward to form watch groups from amongst themselves. In Vallejo, there are about 350 watch groups, according to the findings of the Fighting Back Partnership; the latter assists in forming these groups. In 2009 there were only 10 watch groups.
Bob Sampayan of Fighting Back Partnership informed watch groups that they can bring in legal suits in small claims court against the owners of the residences on issues relating to quality of living.
Sampayan, a recently elected member of City Council, said he has helped these local watch groups in six such cases; five of which achieved success. He said, “The process does work. Sadly, we don’t have enough city employees to handle problems such as this. Hopefully in future we will. Until then, neighbours have to help neighbours”.
Sampayan has expressed sympathy for the homeless, especially during the cold season. The situation looks rather grim because the number of homeless has been dramatically increasing. He can understand the reason behind their taking shelter inside vacant houses during times when the weather is cold and rainy. Unfortunately, homeless only cause a neighborhood great harm in the long run.
Sampayan’s suggestion is that the residents should go to the local branch of the bank that owns the house and demand connection with the asset protection department of the bank in order to state their complaints. He feels also that neighbors should be more proactive in addressing these concerns.
A resident in the Central Avenue region is doing this. She, along with some others in the area, is forming a local watch group. This concerned resident feels that watch groups do much for a community. They want to clean up Vallejo fast. The city really does have a great deal of potential and right now needs a big huge of TLC.
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