Neighbors report squatters, attempted break-ins; city code inspector says condemnation, building-inspector options exist

Sarah Kirk, a city code inspector, told the Midtown Redevelopment Board on Aug. 12 that code had 77 open cases for June and July, including vacant-lot cases and one blighted property. During public discussion, neighbors described ongoing squatting, increased foot traffic and tents on a nearby vacant lot east of Fulton Street; they said the situation had escalated to attempted entries and scratch marks on an elderly neighbor’s door. Kirk said she had passed the Fulton property information to the inspector assigned to that area; because Midtown is divided into inspection zones, a different inspector covers the portion in question. She said the case had been sent to hearing and, because the property did not come into compliance, likely resulted in a fine and lien. Kirk also explained enforcement tools that can be used when a property has no active utility accounts: the building/rehab (condemnation) inspector, who is in the building department and works with code, can assess whether a structure is uninhabitable and pursue condemnation when there is no electric or active water account. Board members and several residents said anonymous nonemergency calls to police had not remained anonymous in practice; a resident said police officers knocked and then came to her home after she requested anonymity, and she feared retaliation. Board members asked staff to coordinate more quickly with the police department; Kirk said she would raise the matter with her supervisor and the building/rehab inspector and would follow up by email. There was no formal board action; staff said they would share information with the City’s sergeant who works with code enforcement and would look for additional remedies.