Foreclosures Leading To Increase In Crimes

November 21st, 2007 | Tags: Foreclosures

Slavic Village, Cleveland is the scene of crimes as families whipped by the lash of foreclosures have run away from the working class neighbourhood. It is the hardest hit pocket in the nation. According to figures properties here recorded more filings within the span of three months than anywhere else in the country. Here more than 800 houses are now abandoned and deserted. This region came to life during the 1840’s with the settling of immigrants from Poland and Bohemia who worked in the steel factories.

As soon as the hard working people moved out the squatters and looters moved in. In the core area a house is vandalized within 72 hours of it being vacant. While walking around a personnel of a community organization pointed out to the vanished traces of gutters and downspouts and trash in the yard of a house that had been a home only two weeks previously.

78-year-old Joe Krasucki fell out with gangs that had encroached upon his neighboring abandoned house. It is difficult to feel safe while hemmed in by desolate buildings that invite trouble. Joe did not live long after this incident. When the looters finally leave the property becomes trash and not worth anything. Door, windows, moldings, appliances and even pipes and electric lines are pulled out and ripped off. All that is required for this orgy of destruction is a sledgehammer and evil intent. Demolition of vandalized houses mean further expenses before selling the land. Many criminals stripped the vinyl siding of the houses in Slavic Village because they were ignorant of the difference between plastic and metal scrap.

The ex-owners too did not bother to dump the garbage anywhere else but in the yard. Why should they pay for haulage when they were being thrown out? To make matters worse the cold and damp climate of Cleveland accelerate the process of deterioration of the buildings. The worst are the drug peddlers for whom any shelter will suffice for their nefarious activities. There are growing incidents of innocent victims dying after being caught in the cross fire of gangs. Communities are trying to organize themselves to make the area safe but they complain of police inaction. Some deserted houses are flourishing as storehouses of stolen goods with impunity. With more people leaving the area few are left to light the lamp as darkness descends.

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