Tonight members of one Grants Pass community are taking a stand and fighting for what they say is theirs, their neighborhood. A known drug house on their block has ruined the sense of community but neighbors are not backing down.
Residents on Oakview Street in Grants Pass have taken extra security measures, including installing security cameras and frequent contact with police.
“We want our community back,” said Danny Perez.
Neighbors say it was this foreclosed home that squatters moved into last year, bringing drug traffickers along with them.
“They were making a drug deal right out in the open.”
The home has been raided numerous times including just over a week and a half ago as our cameras were rolling. Community watch organizer Danny Perez says police have been back to the home several times since.
“They came in one night and raided the house.”
Just last week power to the home was shut off but was restored after two days. Because of civil rights laws, squatters are entitled to power and water until a formal eviction process is completed, something that outrages neighbors.
“We’re going to continue to stick together and fight.”
Neighbors say they have heard on on good authority the squatters will be forced out of the neighborhood next week now that the bank is getting involved.
There are very few laws on squatters, that’s why community members have had a tough time with the situation. Neighbors monitor each vehicle and person that goes down the street and report any suspicious activity to police.
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