Update: both floors are now condemned and cannot be re-occupied until there have been abatements and further inspections. The sign designating it unfit for occupancy should be re-posted soon.

I was actually threatened by people hanging out at this house over the summer when I tried to door knock in the neighborhood. They weren't on the voting rolls, so I didn't knock on their door--I was on the other side of the street.

One of 3 men called me over, and asked what I was doing. I told him I was door knocking to encourage people to come out and vote. He asked me for which candidates. When I told him, he told me he I wasn't welcome on that street, and that I was making a mistake being there.

It was kind of creepy, and I felt very uncomfortable. I tried to defuse his anger by saying I strongly supported everyone voting for the candidate they believed in, and that I thought it was great we live in a robust democracy. Then I asked him if he lived in the house.

He told me it was no business of mine where he lived, and then repeated his warning that I should "act smart" and get off that street before there were "problems".

Really bizarre encounter. Two friends of mine who lives on this street later told me that they had some serious run-ins with the occupants of the house.

I think the real problem here is that the home is owned by an absentee landlord who apparently doesn't care and isn't invested in the neighborhood. What can we do about these absentee landlords who set such a low bar for co-dwelling? This neighborhood is for everyone, and we shouldn't encourage or allow people to make it uncomfortable or feel dangerous for others.

Many thank yous to LCI and NHPD for coming out on a Sunday night and removing the illegal occupants on the 2nd floor of the mold-infested house at 17 Nash Street. Unfortunately at least two of the former inhabitants were there this morning, sitting the 2nd floor porch where they can survey the street for police, They are staying well beyond the time it would take to remove their things. They have left both the front and the back doors wide open, making the house accessible to thieves and squatters. The landlord has not been seen in weeks and has made no visible attempt to secure the house. The police came this morning and closed the doors but the squatters spotted them and ran, landing over at 28 Nash Street which is also owned by the same absentee landlord. The squatters then returned to #17 as soon as NHPD left.
LCI and NHPD, thank you again for helping over the 9 months of danger, anxiety and great cost to taxpayers that the landlord of 17 & 28 Nash Street has caused. So glad Alder Jessica has begun to help out. We hope this matter will get the attention that will stabilze the perimeter of East Rock.

LCI has not returned to secure the house nor has the sign been reposted. The former tenants plus a few of their buddies are coming and going so freely that there is not enough time in the day. Alder Jessica Holmes lives just a few doors up the street. When will she start calling the officials to make something actually happpen?

LCI has not returned to secure the house nor has the sign been reposted. The former tenants plus a few of their buddies are coming and going so freely that there is not enough time in the day to keep calling the police. Alder Jessica Holmes lives just a few doors up the street. When will she start calling the officials to make something actually happen?

LCI has boarded up the front and back doors, and the windows are secured from the inside. Reportedly, they will be boarding up the first floor windows tomorrow.

LCI will soon block off the side yards of 17 Nash Street so as to prevent trespassers from sneaking into the condemned house.
Thank you LCI.
Moving forward, we all need to keep in mind that people who trespass in empty houses sometimes do so with a malicious intent. They can pose a serious danger to a community and to themselves.
I am informed that, when ANYONE, even the landlord sets foot on a condemned property, unless that person is accompanied by a policeman or a person wearing an LCI sweatshirt, they are breaking the law and should be reported to the police without a second's delay. Don't wait, please dial 911 and please keep your eyes on #17 Nash Street as well as the silver auto with white "flame" decals and loud music that some of the trespassers sometimes use.
MT
PS. Don't be deceived. One of the trespassers has a vest that says "Security" . It has some florescent orange and yellow trim.

The Independent repostr: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/refugees_find_no_refuge_on_nash_street/

House is now boarded up, no one can enter.