MEMPHIS, Tenn. — People in the Riverview community want to know what more has to happen before a blighted home is either boarded up or torn down.
The house has broken windows, no door, garbage and gang graffiti written all over it, and it’s right next door to a school.
Police report it’s also where a woman was raped at gunpoint.
“It’s been like that quite a while. Since I’ve been over here,” said Leon Harris.
Harris said no one has lived in the home on Benford for several years and has watched it fall to pieces.
“It’s kind of dangerous, especially for kids,” said Harris.
His concerns are growing too.
Police said in April, Makyle Love drove a woman he met online to the home, held a gun to her head in the driveway, forced her to undress and then raped her.
He was arrested Thursday.
“When I heard about it, it was scary, because my sister live right there,” said a woman who asked to remain anonymous. “Her kids live right there. It’s a scary thing.”
She and other neighbors were too afraid to talk on camera, but told us they’ve been on edge as they’ve watched people hang out and squat in the home.
They wonder why nothing was done back in April after the reported rape.
Police said it’s not in their policy to notify public works about unsafe properties they come across while investigating, but encourage officers and you to report any blight concerns.
WREG discovered complaints dating back to 1997 for yard maintenance and junk cars.
Not to mention, taxes haven’t been paid since 2012.
City officials said they are gathering details for WREG about any complaints made this year.
They also said they are in litigation with the homeowners right now.
“I don’t know why the city doesn’t tear down these old abandoned house though,” said Harris. “[The home on Benford] should be torn down.”
We went to the only other property listed under the owner’s name, but no one answered the door.
If you’d like to report blight concerns, call 311.