After enduring years of illegal activity and safety concerns, a Michigan homeowner assisted police in removing squatters from the neighboring property using surveillance footage from his Ring camera.
Residents of a residential community in Dowagiac, Michigan, breathed a collective sigh of relief as the long-standing squatter situation that had plagued their neighborhood for over three years finally came to an end. The nightmare began when a homeowner allowed a man and his friends to occupy her backyard dwellings.
Demarko Smith, a local resident, witnessed the gradual deterioration of his once-peaceful neighborhood. "He started bringing in trash, old appliances, and random people," Smith said. "It was a constant source of chaos and concern."
The situation escalated when the homeowner passed away, leaving her family unable to regain possession of the home due to Michigan's strict squatter laws. The unwelcome occupants took over the property, leaving it in a state of disrepair. "They had no running water or electricity for three years," Smith explained. "They stripped it of valuable materials."
Smith was forced to construct a six-foot fence to shield his family from the dangerous activity next door. However, attempts to protect his property were met with aggression from the squatters. "They tried to tear down my fence, and it's still partially in shreds," he said.
Determined to safeguard his home and community, Smith installed a comprehensive surveillance system, equipped with 14 cameras, a siren, and Apple watches for remote monitoring. "I had people on camera walking in and out with backpacks filled with money," he said.
Countless times, Smith provided police with irrefutable evidence of illegal activity. On one occasion, a six-hour standoff with police ended in the arrest of the suspect. "After six sleepless hours, they kicked in the door but didn't find him," Smith recounted. "I caught him on camera walking out half an hour later."
Despite numerous arrests, the squatter problem persisted. Smith accused the city of inaction, citing discrepancies in enforcement. "They'll write citations for overgrown grass, but people can do this and get away with it," he said.
Finally, after years of torment, the bank initiated eviction proceedings, and the squatters were forced to vacate the property. "We were on the front porch crying with joy," Smith said.
However, their relief was short-lived as the squatter moved to a nearby street, targeting Smith's mother-in-law's home. Smith expressed concerns about the safety of the community and the possibility of similar incidents in the future.
"We've started a neighborhood watch group to monitor suspicious activity," Smith said. "We can't afford to let this happen again."
The situation has left a lasting impact on the community. Despite the eviction, lingering fears and uncertainties remain. The vacant squatter home, which is currently up for sale, serves as a reminder of the chaos and disruption it brought to the neighborhood.
