Neglected property in Queens has attracted squatters for years, neighbors say
BELLEROSE, Queens (PIX11) -- Queens residents spoke out with frustrations Wednesday about a run-down property in their neighborhood that they say is attracting squatters.
"Sometimes the front door is actually creeped open. For years, people have just been coming in, dumping garbage," said Kamran, describing the neglected house next to the home he's lived in since childhood.
When Kamran says "years," he means more than a decade. During that time, he and his neighbors say there have been squatters coming in and out of the run-down home.
The home, located at 245-04 Union Turnpike in Bellerose, is barely visible behind the tall brush. Lydia lives within eyeshot of what she says is an eyesore.
"When I see people there that I know are squatters, or they don't belong there because it's been empty so long, I just call 911," said Lydia.
This is the third time in the last week PIX11 News has reported about a suspected squatting situation in Queens, from a now torn-down home in Bayside, to squatters who allegedly entered through the roof of the closed Triple Crown Diner – also in Bellerose.
PIX11 News took Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on a virtual tour of the property Wednesday.
The tour included a growing collection of New York City Department of Sanitation tickets issued to the registered owner – Jan Robert Fortin – who has no listed number and whose son did not answer PIX11 News’ phone call requesting comment.
"So how do we resolve this issue? We need a change at the state law. Yes, enforcement is one key piece of it. OK, they are going to end up on Rikers on a trespass charge possibly. I also have to allude to the fact that we are in a housing crisis, and people are squatting largely because we are in this crisis," said Richards.
The good news? About an hour after PIX11 News started reaching out to multiple agencies, including the health department, Housing Preservation and Development, and the buildings and sanitation departments, a sanitation supervisor arrived at the house to assess the situation.
One Bellerose resident, who did not want to be identified, said he hopes something comes out of the renewed scrutiny, such as a good cleanup.
"It looks like nothing is being done about it. Something needs to be done," said the resident.
A Department of Sanitation spokesperson told PIX11 News that legally their crews cannot enter a fenced or locked property without the owner's permission or a warrant.
PIX11 News also reached out to the NYPD. A department spokesperson said there are no officer response reports going back the last five years.
Neighbors said the owner is a nice man who has refused multiple offers to sell for an unknown reason.