Relatives to Blame for Problem Properties: Alderman

Relatives of the owners of the 11 properties recently identified by city of Evanston officials as “problem properties” are the real ones to blame for the number of police calls, 5th Ward Ald. Delores Holes said during a recent ward meeting.

“I talked to one lady today...who said it would have been helpful if police had provided her some preliminary information to help get rid of one of her relatives,” Holmes said during the meeting reported by Evanston Now.

“But when you’ve got 39 police calls to your house...That should have been a sign that something was wrong.”

The 5th ward representative noted that it is difficult for the homeowners to deal with relatives, but that a decision must be made if those relatives are causing the owners to lose their homes.

“If you know that your grandson or your nephew or your niece or cousin is bringing drugs or firearms into the community, they’re part of the problem, not the solution,” she said.

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