Please watch those vacant homes!


3123, The historic Regan house of the Healy Block was broken into for the second time. I received a message from Connie Nompelis indicating that Peter Holly had noticed the padlocks were off of the front door. I commend Peter for this observation.

As many of us have been trying to "keep an eye" on this property, I don't think I would have even noticed. I look for doors wide open or busted off of their hinges - signs of forced entry. In this case, the doorknobs were clipped off and the Realtor's key box breached and the THREE padlocks were then of course unlocked. But to the unobservant eye, it looked orderly and not as if a violent breach had occurred. The padlocks and the Realtor's key box were nowhere to be found. The police found this very interesting as they indicate these items would usually just be tossed aside. I wonder if this was to conceal any possible finger prints? I believe this is a very knowledgeable outfit that is completely aware of the historic value of this property and the same outfit that committed the first burglary and came back for the remainder of the spoils. It is apparent that it is not a random crackhead targeting this property. The initial thieves understood the value in the historic fireplace tile even though this tile was a very bland neutral tone and did not have any significant colored, portrait, or landscape tiles. I don't believe our random crackheads would have understood the potential value of tile. This time around, they stole one stained glass window from the staircase landing and badly damaged another in attempt to remove it. And they completely hacked up some hand carved detail in the wood surrounding the windows.

Peter and I decided we would keep watch until someone came to secure the building as the original bannister and newel post remained inside. Of course we got curious and began looking through the building when we heard padlocks being clipped on from the outside. We scared the shit out of the guy from the bank when we shone our flashlights out the window and were pounding on the door yelling that we had been locked in the building! The officer who initially responded indicated there would be a police board up tomorrow morning. He also seemed very annoyed that this is the THIRD board up of this building and asked why this was happening. My understanding is that the bank or the listing agent has removed boards in the past. The officer blamed this for the repeated breaches and thefts of the property and fumed over the cost to the public in terms of the boards and labor for three boardings of one building with no substantial change in ownership or condition. I don't know what the answer here is. The most diligent neighborhood activist, David Piehl lives immediately next door. I take walks and check this building at minimum once a day, if not twice, Peter is constantly outdoors on this block as he is working on the construction of Connie's new from porch, and of course Connie and Yanni watch like a hawk as well. And still this keeps happening - during daylight hours!

As I said, I don't know what the answer is - but I don't imagine any more intensive level of watching is even realistic as it keep happening already under intense watch. This building simply needs to be occupied. I am so worried for the staircase banister. It is in wonderful condition and of course has been seen by these bastards. And they have proved that they will come back. Please, everyone, keep as close a watch as we can until the Regan house has a new owner. And cross your fingers that it doesn't end up in slum lord hands (actually - I DARE a slumlord to touch that property - we will be on them for anything and everything like flies on shit!)

Please keep a careful eye on those homes around you. It is unfortunate that the banks who own these properties don't do a better job of securing and monitoring these vacant properties. Ultimately it is the responsible homeowners in the communities who will suffer as these homes are less able to attract good neighbors.

It may seem premature to call the police if you see activity around these homes.. but an ounce prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Posted by Mpls Historic Homeowner Asso. at 11/6/2008 11:13 PM
Categories: uncategorized
 

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