EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso authorities removed over 20 squatters from an empty home in Northeast El Paso thanks to a new bill that went into law in September.

KINT spoke with Danny Zamora, the El Paso Constable for Precinct 2, who said that 22 to 25 people were removed from an empty home on Hemmingway Drive and McCombs Street, near Dyer.

“People break into these homes, vacant homes– they look for a vacant home– and they just place themselves there and invite all these other people to come in with them,” Zamora said.

Zamora said stolen property was found inside the home and that the El Paso Police Department arrested five people suspected of stealing.

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Zamora cited that the operation was made possible thanks to Senate Bill 1333, which went into effect on Sept. 1.

In broad strokes, SB 1333 gives property owners legal options to remove squatters from their property.

“This is not only a nuisance to our community, but it’s not what the neighbors want,” Zamora said. “At the end of the day, the neighbors want to be able to come out their front doors, walk around the block, have their kids playing in the streets. Stuff like this prevents it; they feel scared about it.”

Zamora thanked EPPD, the El Paso District Attorney and the State Attorney General’s Police for making the operation possible.

People driving by shared video on social media that showed the operation.

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