LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Clark County Code Enforcement took decisive action Thursday by boarding up a notorious squatter den on Nahatan Way in the Paradise Palms neighborhood. The move was met with relief from local residents, including Rose Hokenson, whose backyard borders the abandoned property.
“Oh, I am so happy,” said Hokenson, expressing her excitement at seeing the home finally secured. “I am just happy they are all here and we are going to take care of this today for a while.”
Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom was present at the scene, overseeing the efforts to secure the property. “We are going to officially board it up so hopefully it is impermeable,” said Segerblom. He acknowledged the challenges faced in addressing the squatter issue, likening it to “getting rid of ants.”
The cost of the boarding up will be borne by the property owners, who, neighbors say, allowed the home to fall into disrepair. Segerblom explained, “We calculate the money that we are using, we put that on the tax roll and then if the property owner will not pay the taxes then we will sell it. So we will get the money back.”
Segerblom noted that the county’s code enforcement teams are stretched thin, with too many cases and too few officers. He expressed a willingness to explore changes in the law to better address persistent squatter issues. “I am in my job for six years, I have never seen this kind of persistent thing,” he said. “Maybe we have to change the laws, give us more power but I appreciate the neighbors being willing to work with me because we are making the process better.”…