Low incoming housing security guards at a Richmond, California property had difficulties with squatters. The public housing property was deemed uninhabitable and the residents were evacuated. After the building closed, homeless people infiltrated the abandoned residential property.
Vagrants broke through the housing security locks and gates and never left. The transients wrecked the debilitating multifamily apartment complex. Copper wire piping was pulled from the walls. Stagnant water and trash flooded the property.
A Richmond resident contacted city officials about the squatters, describing the issue as a nuisance and a threat. The local housing authority attempted to secure the closed-down property but failed. They initially tried to weld the housing security gates around the property shut and posted ‘No Trespassing’ signs throughout the property. Neither worked. The housing authority hired a third-party housing security guard service. They even felt their efforts were ineffective and admitted defeat.
Squatters took over more than 20 units. One squatter said she found everything she needed at the abandoned property. This included running water, electricity, and a futon. Local officials blamed a disgruntled former employee for the unsuccessful closing of the property. The former employee was able to live at the government housing property for free. It was part of his contract. While the residents were evacuated, the former employee refused to go. claiming the housing authority owed him money.
Due to guidelines and laws, the city had to provide electricity and running water to the apartment complex until the last resident was evicted. The local housing authority was unable to do anything about the former employee.
Housing security guards described the squatters as hostile and threatening. The vagrants needed to be approached with caution. To date, local authorities arrested eight vagrants at the housing project and charged them with trespassing, drug violations, and outstanding warrants.
This government housing property is not a Stealth client.
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