Statesboro neighbors say complaints over property ignored for years

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Residents on East Moore Street say their complaints about a local property have gone unanswered for a decade, leaving them frustrated over the lack of action.

Neighbors say the state of the home has become a health and safety concern in the community. The home suffered a fire years ago, and neighbors say the property has gotten worse since then.

“It makes me kind of ticked off, because you would think they care more about the city,” Robert Crews, a neighbor, said about city official’s response.

Neighbors describe impact

Rosalie Crews, a neighbor, said she no longer uses her yard because of the situation.

“I don’t enjoy my yard anymore. I used to. I hardly come outside at all,” Rosalie Crews said.

Under city law, when a complaint is made, a code compliance officer visits the residence to conduct an investigation. If a violation is found, the homeowner is given a time frame to fix the issue or receive a court summons.

Homeowner responds

The homeowner, reached by phone, became emotional discussing the back-and-forth with her neighbors. She said she has been contacted by the city and is trying to fix the problems. She said she feels targeted by the neighborhood and feels like she can’t win.

Neighbors say they have only been told by the city that there is nothing to be done.

Crews raised concerns about how the situation affects surrounding property values.

“It would be impossible to get our money out of this place because of that,” Rosalie Crews said.

Concern for residents on the property

Neighbors said they are also looking to secure help for those living on the property, in addition to their concerns over health, safety and property value.

“We wish them well, we asked the mennonites to help them find a place to live, you know to help them out if they can, instead of bringing food and water and toiletries to them all the time, they’re not doing them any justice by doing that,” Robert Crews said.

WTOC has reached out to the city to learn what has been done and is waiting to hear back.