Abandoned homes prove dangerous for neighbors in KCMO

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The last time neighbors saw anyone live at 5708 NW Parkdale Circle was more than five years ago. Now, wildlife runs the property.

Mark smith lives next door. His favorite place to be in the world, is rocking on his front porch.

"You can sit here and worry about nothing, " Smith explained. He doesn't ever plan to leave. The house has become his home.

However the scenery started to change five years ago, when Smith says his neighbors moved out. On Tuesday, he showed 41 Action News what has evolved next door.

"All the windows are broken out the gutters are off," he said.

The roof is caving in on the vacant home. The yard is littered with shopping carts, crates and old buckets.

Smith can stand the ugliness, but the animals it attracts are unbearable.

"I've had snakes in my house. I can't get rid of the mice. Snakes are chasing down my dogs," he explained.

41 Action News Reporter Beth Vaughn spoke with Kansas City Code Enforcement on Tuesday, who told her the home is still owned by a man in Trenton, Mo. They believe he's been cited a handful of times but couldn't say if there was a plan for the vacant home.

Smith has a suggestion: "Level it."

After years of filing complaints, he wants change.

Right now the city reports 1,000 properties in Kansas City are dangerous and need to be torn down. Demolition costs roughly $7,500 dollars.

41 Action News attempted to reach out to the owner of the vacant home in the Northland, but our call went unanswered.