San Antonio homebuilder Jeff Japhet says a wave of illegal parties has turned houses still under construction on the North Side into after-hours hangouts, leaving behind smashed cabinets, kicked-in doors and other vandalism that has forced costly repairs and pushed some buyers’ move-in dates back.
Japhet says the trespassing and underage drinking have been going on for weeks in new homes in the Shavano Ranch area near Loop 1604. He is now calling for more police presence to shut the gatherings down before someone gets seriously hurt.
In an interview with KSAT, Japhet said the parties seemed to take off after a flyer began circulating on social media. He told the station he has shared that flyer and surveillance video from the properties, hoping it will spur stronger enforcement. “Accountability from the police is really what I want,” he said, criticizing what he described as initial responses where officers told crowds to leave without identifying or searching attendees.
Japhet says he has tried to clamp down on the trespassing by putting up no-trespassing signs, installing cameras and hiring private security at the construction sites, but the parties have continued.
Damage, delays and safety risks
According to KSAT, Japhet estimates he has spent more than $100,000 repairing vandalism. Cabinet faces are among the casualties, and he says many of them have to be pulled and replaced rather than patched up.
Some buyers who thought they would be unpacking boxes by now are instead watching their calendars. Japhet told KSAT that certain homeowners’ move-in dates have been delayed by about two weeks because of the damage.
He also shared footage with the station that appears to show dozens of cars and a bonfire that spread after construction wood was thrown into it. Japhet has warned that the combination of underage drinking and open construction materials is a recipe for serious injury or a larger fire.
KSAT reported that Japhet has filed multiple police reports. As of Thursday, the San Antonio Police Department had not responded to the station’s request for comment.
Builder's footprint and local context
Japhet Builders is a San Antonio-based firm that lists Shavano-area developments on its website, and third-party listings show the company has active homes in the Summit of Shavano Highlands. A recent Japhet listing highlighted by Redfin underscores how the disruptions are playing out in a community where buyers expected to move in this summer.
The company did not immediately provide additional comment beyond what its owner told KSAT.
What comes next
Japhet says he plans to keep documenting damage, working with private security and alerting police when he learns online that another party is being promoted. With the July 4 holiday coming up, he and other builders are worried crowds could grow, leading to more vandalism or injuries, and he is urging a more active enforcement approach from local officers.
Buyers who are concerned about delayed move-in dates or potential property damage are being advised to contact their builder or listing agent for updates.
