San Diego

Neighbors Say Squatters Have Taken Over Several North Park Homes

A community in North Park said several homes on their block have been taken over by squatters and are searching for a solution

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A community in North Park said several homes on their block have been taken over by squatters and are searching for a solution. NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada reports.

Jessica Wagner lives in a North Park across the street from five vacant homes. Although she loves her neighborhood, she said lately she hasn’t felt very safe.

“Recently, it’s just a bunch of homeless people in the middle of the night coming and squatting in these homes,” Wagner said.

Neighbors in the community said several homes on their block have been taken over by squatters and are searching for a solution.

In the last two weeks, five complaints were filed in the Get It Done App involving squatting concerns from these homes, according to the city of San Diego. Some of the complaints describe five people doing drugs on the front porch, while others claim Maker’s Church has not properly secured the abandoned properties.

“We have kids here, so it sucks because I think it can be a safety issue,” Madison Oberg said.

Maker's Church owns the homes and said they've been vacated as they develop a long-term plan for them but they are working with police to address the situation affecting neighbors.

"We are aware of the negative impact the situation has on both our neighbors and the unhoused community, and we are actively working to address it with compassion and dedication," a statement from Pastor Derrick Miller read. "We are currently collaborating with the San Diego Police Department and Development Services on both short-term response strategies and our long-term plan for the properties. This plan will likely incorporate low-income housing as part of our mission to serve all sectors of our community."

Oberg is staying at an Airbnb next to one of the vacant homes. She’s often had to park in front of the homes because parking is very limited, she said.

“Almost every single day I’ve been out there’s been trash around my car, under my car, it smells like urine, it smells really gross, these people are not very friendly. You walk by them, they give you glances, they’re yelling, they’re screaming,” Oberg said.  

Wagner said she’s tried to reach out to the church but has been unable to talk with anyone.

“I would love to hear from the church. I would love to know what they plan on doing. What their bottom line is. What’s going on? I mean, you’re turning our neighborhood into a circus,” Wagner said.

Miller told NBC 7 the church has a 5 step plan to minimize the negative impact on the neighborhood.

Their first step, which was implemented Friday, is to install fencing to restrict access. The church will also hire a firm to look into additional safeguards, has staff that conduct daily patrols and has hired professional security to patrol the homes when staff can't.

"We have partnered with the San Diego Police Department to address the issue, resulting in citations for multiple individuals and the potential for future arrests if they continue to trespass. We report all instances of trespassing to the authorities."

Miller said SDPD is also providing access to access to city-sanctioned homeless services when removing individuals from the properties.

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