INVESTIGATES: City condemns junk-filled home after Action News Jax investigation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When Action News Jax investigates, we get answers.

After our investigation into a junk-filled home on Capper Road, the city confirmed they have condemned the building, and told the residents they must leave because of unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

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“When you all got here, it got away quick,” neighbor Thomas Higgenbotham said.

Action News Jax reported on Thursday that neighbors have been complaining for roughly a year about not only the mess, but the people involved.

“You have no idea how many people I called, and one phone call it was all cleared up in a couple of days. I can’t believe it,” Michelle Suda said.

Higgenbotham said they’ve seen anywhere from 8 to 12 or more people inside the home, coming and going. On Thursday, someone living inside didn’t want to go on camera, but told Action News Jax a group lived there and they were scrappers, selling metal for money.

“The smell, the people up all night making noise, they had a generator running all night long, mowing the grass all night, it was unbelievable,” Higgenbotham said. “I don’t know where they were using the bathroom, but the feces were unbearable, you could smell it.”

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After checking who owns the property, the Duval County property appraisal website said “Mayberry Doris Estate.” The warranty deed we received also had the same names on it, both of whom passed away.

JEA tells Action News Jax the property’s electric meter was cut off in June because of no payment, and it doesn’t provide water to the house.

The city said in addition to condemning the property, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was called to help get the tenants out who refused to leave. Contractors were also on the property cleaning up the mess with a bulldozer, and someone with the company told Action News Jax it would take about five days to clean.

“It’s so great the city responded, and I know it’s because of you all that they did it,” Suda said. “It’s going to be so much better. I can’t wait.”

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