TOLEDO, Ohio — Blight, vermin, trash and stench are plaguing Toledo's streets.
In 2022, the Lucas County Land Bank told 11 Investigates that it surveyed Toledo's 120,000 properties and determined just under 1,500 need to be demolished.
During Call 11 for Action's latest phone bank in March, two Toledoans, Willie Carter and Denise Karczak, called to complain about the blighted homes next door to them, which have been vacant since the owners' deaths.
Both Carter and Karczak told Call 11 for Action that they feel trapped in their own homes due to the stench, animals and people that frequent the houses.
Carter lives next to 965 Post St., where the owner, Carmen Williamson, has been dead since 2020.
"It's so bad over here, my grandkids, my kids come over here, they can't even come outside to play because they say, 'Papa, what's that smell coming out of the house?'" Carter said.
On Thursday, Call 11 for Action visited the Post Street house and observed that the doors and windows to the house were open.
There is trash, including dozens of cans of empty cat food canisters in the backyard, and a stench of cat urine coming from the house. A stray cat was also spotted on the back porch.
As for Karcsak, she showed Call 11 for Action what she sees out of her kitchen window: the roof caving in on the house at 2300 Seaman St.
The owner James Neal died in 2014, according to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
"I look across, I see animals coming in and it's just terrible," she said. "I just want it down and all this cleaned up, so I don't have to live like this anymore. I'm in my 60's. I want to live the rest of my life in a nice home. I keep my home up."
Call 11 for Action noted that the basement windows are missing, large vines are wrapped around the porch and mailbox, dozens of baby diapers and bottles are in the backyard, the roof is caved in, and a shed is missing a door in the backyard.
Both Carter and Karcsak feel that their quality of life is suffering and that their multiple complaints to the city of Toledo have gone ignored, though they both pay their property taxes and keep up their homes.
"Why should I have to live like this? It's disgusting," Carter said. "I pay property taxes. In the summertime, I can't come out here and sit on my front porch because the smell comes over here. I can't put my windows up because the smell comes in the house. I'm stuck in my house."
Call 11 for Action contacted the city of Toledo regarding both properties.
"The Division of Urban Beautification has 965 Post St. added to the 2024 cyclical mowing program. This property will receive routine maintenance through October," a city of Toledo spokesperson said. "A team member from Urban Beautification will be dispatched to review the property and dispatch a crew as appropriate for resolution."
The city also referred Call 11 for Action to Toledo Housing Court.
"The Department of Building and Code Compliance states that they see something that could be related in Probate Court," a spokesperson said.
On Thursday, a Toledo Housing Court clerk said that there was a criminal charge against Williamson, the owner of 965 Post St., in 2021 and two notices to appear in court, a year after Toledo-Lucas County Health Department records show that Williamson died.
The clerk said a bench warrant was issued against Williamson in October 2021.
Another call from Call 11 for Action as to why there is legal action against a deceased person went unreturned at the time of this publication.
The Lucas County Land Bank said that it does not own either property, therefore they are not on its list to be demolished.
Call 11 for Action confirmed that the house at 2300 Seaman Road is on the city of Toledo's list to be demolished in 2024. A spokesperson said it could be torn down, "in six weeks, if not sooner."
If you have a problem you need help solving, email 11investigates@wtol.com.
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