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  When I think of the word squat, I think of an exercise designed to strengthen your legs, hips, and gluteus maximus.  However, there is a segment of society squatting and their intention is not to build a better body, but live in a location for free.  I’m sure you’ve seen reports in the media and know this situation is cropping up more and more.

   To the average home-owner it seems like a simple problem.  Your neighbors, Bob and Sue, had to let their house go “back to the bank”.  Now there are unsavory looking folks coming in and out of Bob and Sue’s house at all hours of the day and night.   It seems to you that the police should be able to come and kick those squatters right out of the house.

 

     But unfortunately, in most instances that’s not the case.  In the interest of not giving current or future squatters “how to” information, you’re just going to have to take my word the solution isn’t that simple.  In fact, most of the burden falls on the Department of Building and Safety.  I’ve worked with several of Building and Safety inspectors on abandoned home problems, and I can tell you these professionals are really working hard on this problem. 

   Once it is clear who the present owner of the home is and they aren’t going to clean up or secure the house, the Building and Safety inspectors can authorize the property be secured and cleaned up.   This is a better alternative than having the house wide open for vandals, narcotics users, thieves and who knows what else.

   I can tell you of a case in my Basic Car area where citizens alerted me to the fact there were squatters living in an abandoned home.  Just about the same time as that notification, I got a call from one of the Department of Building and Safety inspectors.  He was asking if I could accompany him to that very same house.   He stated a few days earlier he’d been at the location posting signage prohibiting entry when he was confronted by two of the “resident” squatters.

    So, the inspector and I and one of my partner Senior Lead Officers went to the location.  The signs the inspector had affixed to the front of the house were ripped down.  We knocked on the door and it was unlocked – which was not how the inspector had left the location on his previous visit.  A search of the location revealed a squatter inside.  The inspector explained to the man why he couldn’t be there.  The man refused to leave.  He was arrested for two warrants for his arrest as well as a Los Angeles Municipal Code violation. 

   So what can you do if you’ve got squatters in your neighborhood?  You can call the number I wrote about in this column two months ago.  Do you remember?  3-1-1…The City of Los Angeles citywide toll free number to information and non-emergency services. 

   The process of ousting squatters is not quick.  I know local government officials are concerned about the problem and looking for remedies.  In the meantime, do what you always do.  Be alert for strangers in your neighborhood.   While some strangers are just folks out getting exercise, other strangers may be doing a squat exercise – and not the kind of squat that builds a better body.

   Kathy Bennett has been a Los Angeles Police Officer for 18 years and currently is assigned as the Senior Lead Officer for Basic Car 17A55 in Devonshire Area.  She can be reached at (818) 634-0495 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it