SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An Antelope neighborhood wants answers as they continue to deal with alleged squatters and strangers coming into their community.
ABC10 first reported on the topic in April after a home on Country Run Way with a history of problems caught fire.
Neighbors are beefing up their security systems due to the safety concerns on their minds. They said squatters have returned to the area within the past couple weeks.
"I installed cameras. I have cameras all around my house. I had someone come through my backyard," said neighbor Lena Smith. "You would think your backyard is safe, but I don't feel my backyard is safe."
Neighbors told ABC10 the problem with squatters first started a couple years ago, but grew until the home caught fire in April. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
After the fire, neighbor Christine Morris said the squatters didn't return until just recently.
"Now, the last two weeks, people have started showing up, sleeping in the backyard, passing out on the sidewalk, leaving their things that they can't get over the fence out front. There's a window open in the back that now they're getting into," she said.
Just this week, one neighbor shared a photo with ABC10 showing what appears to be someone sleeping or passed out on the sidewalk near their home.
Neighbors said they are also dealing with rodent problems.
"We're afraid for the children to go out and play again," Morris said. "A lot of single moms, they're afraid."
They feel their concerns are falling on deaf ears.
"When I talked to code enforcement yesterday, he sort of blew me off. I wanted to show him the picture of the person on the sidewalk. He said, 'Well, I guess we're going to board up the back of the house,' and they haven't been back," Morris said. "The police, they drove by with a powerful flashlight, kept driving, and if they had stopped, they would have found somebody in one of the houses."
Neighbors are wondering what will be next for this property, but they are hoping it gets taken down and with it, the problems it's brought to the neighborhood.
Some neighbors told ABC10 they are considering leaving the area.
Until the problem gets solved, they are looking out for each other.
"We're all watching our cameras, making sure that we see this activity and we alert each other up and down the street both ways," Morris said.
ABC10 reached out to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, who is looking into the situation. ABC10 also contacted the county about neighbor's concerns, but they are out for the Juneteenth holiday.
We will update this article once we receive a response.
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