Here’s an interesting question that comes via the Boerum Hill Group that raises the issue of dealing with a vacant building next door. While the issue is less widespread than it used to be, it still pops up here and there. Here it is:

I live next door to a building that has been vacant (in foreclosure) for a few years now & which periodically has junkies who get in & set up camp. The owners refuse to board up the back windows & basement door, which is how they are getting in. The police will come & kick people out, but they keep coming back. The dept of buildings is no help, they gave the owners a citation for it being open & accessible, but that is all they tell me they can do. Has anyone dealt with this sort of situation before? Any tips on who to contact? I have a call in to the crime prevention person at the 76th precinct but haven’t heard back yet. Besides not being thrilled with living next to junkies, my biggest fear is that they’ll set the place on fire & our house will go up with it…

It seems to be one of those classic situations where no particular agency has an especially effective solution.