SPOKANE, Wash. – It is an issue neighbors in Spokane’s South Hill call frustrating and at times scary – and police said they can only do so much about it. So one neighborhood banded together to get rid of squatters.
Neighbors have lived in peace on 32nd Avenue for years, but lately have had to make several calls to the police and unite.
“It’s just awful,” one neighbor said. “I can’t believe people can get away with this.”
It all began about a month ago, in June to be exact. The problems stem from a house with a hose spigot.
“We tried to tell them to stop doing this. Don’t steal water from our house anymore.”
Neighbors said the home was empty for some time, giving way for trash and random vehicles to move in. One neighbor said they could hardly get into their driveway because of the amount of stuff and cars in the way.
It was not until Monday night that officers were able to make an arrest. The owner of a car in the area was taken in on a warrant for drug possession and assault. Neighbors said they have had to drive out the others.
“They think it’s going to be fine and dandy, but they picked the wrong neighborhood,” one neighbor said.
Neighbors do not blame police, but rather the lack of laws to deal with squatting. They said they are in constant communication with the police.