Photos: City of Eureka.

Press release from the City of Eureka:

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, staff from the City of Eureka, including the Code Enforcement and Field Operations Divisions of Public Works and the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing unit (POP), took action to abate a problem property located on the 900 block of West Harris Street. The property was the site of multiple severe violations of building and health and safety codes including hazardous electrical wiring, rodent infestation and the use of makeshift latrine facilities. It has also been a source of repeated calls for service for drugs, disturbing the peace and other criminal complaints, resulting in over 144 calls for service in the last 12 months.

Despite multiple attempts by the City to resolve the problems at the site before performing the abatement, the property owner failed to take corrective action. As a last resort, through a warrant issued by the Superior Court of Humboldt County, the residents were removed and the property cleaned and sealed against entry. The owner of the property was provided temporary housing and connected with additional resources. Approximately 80 yards of garbage and debris were removed during the cleanup, as well as derelict vehicles and RVs. The City would like to thank neighborhood residents for their patience and support as we continue to work to make Eureka safer and more livable for everyone.