Collier County Cops Create Community Safety Teams To Control Crime Linked To Abandoned Homes

In Collier County, Florida, WBBH-TV Channel 2 reports:

• As the number of foreclosures increases, so does Collier County's crime rate. The sheriff's office says empty homes are attracting criminals. But they have a new campaign to fight crime and want to make sure people know how to keep their own neighborhoods safe.

• The abandoned houses you'll find scattered all over Collier County are more than just eyesores - deputies call them targets for criminals. "It has the potential to spiral out of control downward. We are not going to let that happen," said Collier County Undersheriff Kevin Rambosk. In both 2005 and 2006, banks foreclosed on fewer than 800 homes. It grew to more than 3,000 in 2007. And so far this year through March, there have been nearly 2,000 foreclosures.

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• Deputies are now kicking off a new plan to stop the growing problem. The sheriff's office is creating community safety teams. Each team will be made up of deputies, representatives from homeowners associations, and neighbors.

For more, see Community safety teams expected to reduce crime.

See also, Collier Sheriff’s Office working with residents to clean up abandoned homes.