Authorities swarmed a problem property on the city's westside, flushing out 15 squatters in a crackdown led by San Antonio's Dangerous Assessment Response Team (DART). Struck by a recent spate of drive-by shootings and drug-related activity, residents of the 7500 block of Stagecoach Lane finally saw some action Tuesday when the DART team raided a house plagued with these lawlessness complaints.
Assistant City Attorney Eric Burns, who heads the DART unit, reported to KENS 5, “The reason we came to this property is because of the history of drive-by shootings, narcotics,” indicating the pressing need to address the house marked by criminal incidents. A recent drive-by shooting at the location on Friday fortified the city's resolve to intervene.
The raid revealed dire living conditions, with no power or water, and one individual was even found hiding in the HVAC ducts. “The property has deteriorated. There’s a lot of mess, some hoarding tendencies,” Burns described the scene in the statement obtained by KENS 5. The kitchen and bathroom were found dismantled, further cementing the house's status as a nuisance property.
While the operation disrupted the unlawful occupation of the home, it unearthed poignant layers of personal history for Lonnie Weaver, who grew up there. "Bad, it's just horrible inside," Weaver said, echoing the same sentiment in an interview with KENS 5. She recalled the home's past, filled with memories and milestones, now starkly contrasted by its current dilapidated state.
The police action resulted in four individuals taken into custody over outstanding warrants, while others were cited for trespassing. Animal Control Services cared for four dogs, also found on the premises and seemingly well-kept. A plan is now in the works between the DART team and the homeowner to remedy the home's issues, working towards a future free of squatting and dereliction.
To report a nuisance home in your neighborhood or violent crime and drug activity, concerned citizens can call 3-1-1 or the San Antonio Police, staying vigilant in the face of urban decay and community disruption.
