Bronx Neighborhood Concerned Over Abandoned Home Filled With Squatters
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Parents in one Bronx neighborhood are afraid to let their children play outside as they said an abandoned home next door is too dangerous and often filled with squatters.
CBS2's Ali Bauman demanded answers from the property owners.
Neighbors said crumbling wood, broken glass and a gate aren't keeping anyone or anything out of the abandoned home at 2501 Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx.
"You got raccoons, you got rats, homeless people, squatters, people running in and out of the house. I don't now if they're doing drugs in the place, but I'm afraid the house is gonna burn down," neighbor John Hoyt said.
Hoyt has been living right next door to the house since he was a kid and can remember how beautiful it used to look. But now that he is raising his own kids where he grew up, he's afraid to let them go outside.
"I worry about when my wife comes home with the kids, is someone gonna jump out? Is something gonna happen when I'm not here?" he said.
Hoyt said police haven't been able to help with the squatters because they flee by the time authorities arrive. When he called the next door property owners, he said they ignore him.
"I couldn't take it anymore so I called you," he told CBS2.
CBS2 tracked down the property owners. They're a mother and son who inherited the property three years ago. They said they don't want the house in the current state anymore than their neighbors do.
"I want to finish the house, I want to have the good house, I don't want this," property owner Mai Tram said.
Tram said her son signed an agreement with New Diamond contractors two years ago. She said they put down a $50,000 deposit for the contractors to demolish the house, but have been getting the run-around.
"He doesn't do it. I called him many times. He says wait one month, wait half a month," Tram said.
CBS2 spoke with their contractor, Sultan Zohaib, over the phone. He said they are waiting to get the asbestos removed and can now move forward with demolition.
The contractor said he doesn't know when the demolition will happen, perhaps in a few weeks.
CBS2 reached out to the New York City Buildings Department to verify if the contractor did request demolition, but have not heard back yet.