Vacant Homes May Be Inviting Criminal Activity, Police Say

RESEDA (CBSLA.com) — Police are warning residents Monday night about vacant foreclosed homes which they say are inviting criminal activity.

In a Reseda neighborhood, broken windows are now boarded up and a "no trespassing" sign has been posted as neighbors say they had no idea people were living in the bank-owned home, rent-free.

"It's scary. You don't know who's living where and what they're doing," said Bebe Gutierrez, a mother.

Another neighbor said: "It is kind of scary. You don't know what's happening in the neighborhood."

Last Thursday, detectives served two warrants at two homes in the Reseda neighborhood. Once inside, authorities say they found methamphetamine, heroin, prescription pills, and stolen credit cards.

Six people were detained and another four were arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs an in connection with outstanding warrants.

"We just saw a couple of cops, but we didn't know what was going on," one neighbor said.

Officer Mike Lopez with the Los Angeles Police Department says criminal are taking advantage of landlord-tenant laws by refusing to leave, essentially "squatting" until they're forced out.

"They're establishing residency there and it's hard for us to have them legally evicted because they're showing proof that they're living there," Lopez said.

The LAPD says it's happening in neighborhoods all over Los Angeles with criminals fully aware that the eviction process can take between three to six months.

"So now they're trying to ask the banks or the owners evict us or give us money, so they're trying to take advantage of the situation as well," Lopez said.

As for Gutierrez, who walks along Saticoy Street daily, she says she plans to keep an eye on other vacant homes in an effort to keep dangerous people away.

"Sure I will for my kid and everyone who lives here too," she said.

For those whose home will be vacant for an extended period of time, police advise residents to board up windows, post "no trespassing" signs, and ask neighbors to call in suspicious activity.