Special magistrate orders emergency board‑up at 328 North 15th Street after city evidence of habitation and hazards

FORT PIERCE — The City of Fort Pierce secured an emergency nuisance order on Sept. 25 directing the city to board up 328 North 15th Street if the owner does not abate hazardous conditions within 15 hours or by 7 a.m. on Sept. 26, the special magistrate ruled.

Assistant City Attorney Andrea Duenas opened the hearing by calling Detective Catalina Ozario Escobar of the Fort Pierce Police, who testified she responded Sept. 23 to a call that a person was deceased at the property and, pursuant to a search warrant, found signs people had been living there — makeshift beds, food and other items throughout the home — and drug paraphernalia including crack pipes and aluminum foil used to heat drugs. "We were able to locate makeshift beds, multiple items on the floor, food, paraphernalia, broken items, glass, broken windows as well," Detective Escobar said.

Kevin Young, a building inspector and investigator for the city, said he inspected the property on Aug. 27, 2024, photographed the structure and posted it "unfit for human occupancy" after finding the utility meter showed no active service. Young said he sent a notice of violation to owner Norman Lavoie on Aug. 27.

City code inspector Manny Fernandez presented the city's case (file USBDash2024Dash187), introduced the photographs and a copy of a notice of violation, and said the posting and notices complied with code requirements.

Terry Dematos, who identified herself as the owner's agent under a general durable power of attorney, confirmed the owner, Norman Lavoie, is incarcerated in Miami and slated for release Oct. 1, 2025. Dematos said she had not boarded up the property because she lacks the funds and asked the city to be lenient on fees: "I consent to the city boarding up the property, but I request that they possibly be lenient and do a one‑time fee because of the circumstances," she said.

When Dematos asked whether the police had established whether the squatters brought drugs into the house, the city said the matter is under active criminal investigation and that records can be requested from the Fort Pierce Police Department after the investigation is complete.

The special magistrate found that a nuisance condition existed in violation of the city's code of ordinances, that the condition posed an imminent threat to public health, safety and welfare, and that the owner, through his agent, waived the right to abate the nuisance. The magistrate ordered that if the nuisance is not abated by the owner within 15 hours or by 7 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2024, the city is authorized to take necessary steps to abate the nuisance and assess the cost of abatement against the property. The order includes a 30‑day right to appeal.

A written order will follow and be mailed to the agent and property owner, the magistrate said. The city also confirmed the building department would not pursue a separate case related to electric service at the property.

— Reporting by City of Fort Pierce Special Magistrate Hearing transcript; Detective Catalina Ozario Escobar, Kevin Young and city staff were present.