CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- We've all seen them while driving through neighborhoods, vacant homes and abandoned properties.
Besides being an eyesore, abandoned homes can pose serious hazards. Dilapidated properties could cause a safety risk or even lead to squatters moving in and taking over a home left unattended. In Clay County officials are working to get a handle on the problem.
Things appeared calm along Doshire Drive in Orange Park Thursday afternoon, but just last week on Feb. 10, four people accused of squatting in a home in the 900 block of Doshire were arrested. The owner has been gone since last July due to health reasons.
"That's the most action we've had for a long time," said Brian, a neighbor.
For 20 years, he's lived on the quiet block across from the home invaded by intruders who deputies say were bold enough to change the locks and make themselves at home.
"If the community will look out for people in their community, then this wouldn't happen," said Brian. "If I would have been a little more alert of what was going on, it would have never happened."
A Clay County Sheriff's Office spokesperson says it's not a frequent occurrence. But what is happening and causing concern among county officials is properties being left abandoned.
"Often times children especially will use these as play grounds," said Holly Parrish, Clay County director of economic development. "Their curiosity gets the best of them and we don't want them going in there and getting hurt. Also squatters we don't want them taking up residence in these buildings and do further damage."
Parrish says since April of 2012, they've registered more than 9,800 abandoned properties. Currently, there are 2,574 active registrations on file in Clay.
"Over on Tanglewood and Greenwood there's a few homes that's a bit of an eyesore and those they ought to be able to do something," said Brian.
Legislation is now being finalized in the county attorney's office. It would allow county staff to enter onto private property to make repairs and to secure buildings. That drastic measure wouldn't be necessary in the case on Doshire Drive, but it's a potential move that brings comfort to those forced to live among the thousands of vacant properties scattered throughout the county.
In some cases where a building has been substantially damaged and could pose a safety threat, the county would have the authority to demolish it.
The legislation is being proposed by county commissioner Wayne Bolla. It's expected to be completed within the next 30 to 60 days. It will then be presented to the Clay County Commission for a public hearing.