EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A Northeast El Paso home that generated years of complaints from neighbors and dozens of calls for service has been demolished, bringing relief to residents who said they had been waiting years for the property to come down.<\/p>\n
City of El Paso crews demolished the condemned home on Wickham Avenue Thursday.<\/p>\n
Neighbors gathered outside with coffee and doughnuts as they watched crews tear down the structure, which residents had associated with squatters, suspected drug activity, trash and other safety concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a problem with homeless people and squatters, drugs,\u201d one neighbor said. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t walk down the street without looking behind your back.\u201d<\/p>\n
KFOX14\/CBS4 previously reported that, as of Feb. 10, the property had been tied to 65 911 calls since December 2023 and 27 311 calls since August 2021.<\/p>\n
Calls ranged from complaints about trash and overgrown weeds to reports involving domestic disturbances and assault.<\/p>\n
Destiny Venecia reports on Condemned Northeast El Paso home demolished after years of neighbors’ complaints (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Neighbors previously told KFOX14\/CBS4 they had been harassed by people living at the home and that some residents were afraid to walk down their street.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor six years, we\u2019ve had this problem on and off, on and off,\u201d one neighbor said Thursday. \u201cThe police would be across the street three to four times a day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve Alvarado, the City of El Paso\u2019s code enforcement director, said the city must follow a legal process before taking action that results in the demolition of private property.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime we\u2019re going to take away someone\u2019s property, we need to make sure we follow all legal avenues,\u201d Alvarado said, adding that the process includes giving a property owner time to rehabilitate the structure.<\/p>\n
Alvarado said the city was notified on Jan. 27, 2026, beginning the process that eventually resulted in the demolition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a long process, but we have to make sure we give due process to each and every property owner in the city,\u201d Alvarado said.<\/p>\n
According to Alvarado, the process took just under seven months and included giving the property owner an opportunity to respond.<\/p>\n
Neighbors say demolition brings relief, for residents who said they spent years dealing with problems surrounding the property, watching the house come down marked the end of a long fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took a load off my chest to see that house gone,\u201d one neighbor said. \u201cThat makes a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
WATCH: <\/p>\n
House demolition on Wickham Avenue (credit: KFOX14\/CBS4)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Neighbors said they are already noticing a change in the atmosphere along the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t seen this in such a long time, people wanting to go out again,\u201d one neighbor said.<\/p>\n
Residents said they hope removing the home will also put an end to the safety concerns they associated with the property and allow the neighborhood to move forward.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Northeast El Paso home condemned after years of neighbors’ complaints<\/a><\/p>\n