Police warns families about kids staying in abandoned houses

SEAFORD, Del. – A new challenge is raising concerns at the Seaford Police Department.

Police say they started to get reports over the weekend of kids encouraging each other to spend the night in dangerous abandoned houses.

“In addition to be unsafe structures, a lot of criminal elements come along with these abandoned buildings such as you know drug use, drug dealing and prostitution,” said Master Corporal Eric Chambers.

Neighbors said often times kids will gain access through things like open back doors so the city tries to keep them closed off as best they can.

“Some of them are in deplorable conditions, they’re not up to code or anything like that,” said Chambers.

“We do our best with the City of Seaford and property owners to keep the property boarded up,” said Chambers.

“The house looked like it was falling apart, there were things laying all around the house,” said Ashley Condon, a Seaford resident.

“I think the windows were even open at one point, so I couldn’t imagine what the inside looks like,” said Condon.

Condon said this challenge does not surprise her. She said kids are often hanging around in the neighborhood at night.

“It’s very busy as far as kids being out here usually during the day even at night there’s a lot of activity with kids walking around,” said Condon.

Police said they have enough on their plate and they hope people will help bring this ‘challenge’ to an end.

“It’s bad enough that we have criminals going in doing what they’re doing, now these kids are thinking this is a game or a joke to put themselves in a situation that is completely unsafe,” said Chambers.

Police are asking parents to be extra vigilant so that kids stay safe.