Thursday, August 17, 2006

That's Just Wrong: Townhome

Reported by:

Craig Stevens

Producer:

Diana Reed

Contact:

dreed@wsvn.com

Archived Reports:

All That's Just Wrong

Nobody would ever want to live next to an abandoned house filled with rats and snakes. But when one woman complained the county was ignoring her calls for help, she called us to say... That's Just Wrong.

WSVN--Forget superstitions.  For Cecilia Chu, this black cat and her sibling couldn't be luckier.

Cecilia Chu: "They were born in the townhouse. She had four kittens two were killed by dogs. Street dogs. These two they saved. This is one of those. We have another one around here."

But the cats didn't come from your typical town house with typical owners.

Instead, the place next door has been vacant for years. And it shows.

Cecilia Chu: "Wide open. No doors. No nothing."

In fact, the place is mostly occupied by animals.

Spiders, snakes, dogs, lizards, cats, rats, even some shady humans are living here.

But nobody Cecilia would want to have over for a neighborhood barbeque.

Cecilia Chu: "I don't think it's fair what's happening here. Especially me because I'm the one most affected."

Look outside, trash fills the yard.

Look inside, graffiti mars the walls.

Plus now, the roof is caving in, meaning it's only a matter of time before Cecilia's place is also damaged.

Cecilia Chu: "Unfortunately the wall is attached to our wall. Whatever can happen to this townhouse is going to affect us."

But what really upsets Cecilia is she feels helpless in her own home.

She's tried boarding up the town house, but someone always rips it off.

She's also tried calling the police and the county, but nobody will help.

Cecilia Chu: "At the beginning, Team Metro was involved. But they told me it still has an owner and we have to get on his case."

And that's when Cecilia finally decided - That's Just Wrong.

When Cecilia contacted Seven News, we found out she should have been complaining to the City of Miami Gardens because her neighborhood was annexed four years ago.

Christopher Steers: "As soon as we became aware , our code enforcement department took action. went out and looked at the property. Issued warning notices."

But that's not all.

An unsafe structure alert was also put on the house.

Plus, we were also able to track down the homeowner who agreed to meet with the city after fines were issued.

Christopher Steers: "We've have had to issue civil violations. There's about $1,200 dollars in civil fines accruing daily. until he comes into compliance."

Cecelia is glad things are starting to get done.

But at least she knows one good thing came out of it.

Christopher Steers: "She's adorable ."

She got a great new pet.


PLEASE SEND STORY IDEAS TO:

thatsjustwrong@wsvn.com
DADE: 305-598-HELP
BROWARD: 954-796-HELP

Latest Video