Indiana

Criminal Fences

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

One of the big problems facing the City of  Indianapolis, as well as other major and minor cities, is abandoned houses.   There are an estimated 8,000-10,000 abandoned homes in the city.  Abandoned homes lower property values and are magnets for crime and urban blight.

The city has taken a number of steps to fight the problem, such as stiffer civil penalties and creating a database of abandoned properties.  However, if local leaders really want to make a difference in abandoned homes, they should seriously look at adding criminal penalties to the mix.

That’s right, if you own abandoned property and let it fall into such disrepair that you cause a public safety hazard you should be charged criminally.  Sound crazy, not to the Mayor of Indio, California.  The town has altered its property laws so now the owner of the abandoned property, whether it be an individual or bank, can be on the hook and be arrested.  The charge is a misdemeanor and is part of a comprehensive strategy of dealing with abandoned homes.

And this is not just a “left coast” idea.  In Murray, Kentucky County officials have changed their abandoned property laws that allow for criminal charges to be filed as well, if a property owner doesn’t do his or her part and keep abandoned property in decent shape.

This is definitely something the City of Indianapolis should explore.  For some abandoned property owners a fine is just the cost of doing business, however if there is a possibility of some jail time involved, I’m sure they’ll think twice about leaving property to sit and become a piece of blight and public safety hazard for neighborhoods.

Give it a try Indianapolis.  What have you got to lose except for a few abandoned homes?

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on May 24, 2010 (boomark / email).