PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Some homeowners in a north Phoenix neighborhood are pretty upset about what’s going on behind their backyards.
They claim the wash that runs between dozens of homes off Bell Road and 35th Street is not being maintained and is putting neighbors at risk
“It’s very frustrating,” said PJ Jones, who lives nearby.
Overgrown bushes, giant weeds, trash and debris can be seen throughout the area. Steven Ligidakis lives next to the wash and says that what’s going on is a serious threat to the community.
“It’s a fire hazard,” said Ligidakis. “I’ve walked through there before where weeds and grass are as tall as I am, and just dry and dead.”
A few months ago, someone set Ligidakis’ back fence and shed on fire late at night. Home security cameras caught the terrifying moments after it went set.
“This whole shed was completely engulfed 30 feet in the air,” said Ligidakis. “It singed trees and plants 40 feet away and melted the shade cover.”
Ligidakis believes the person who set the fire was a transient living in the wash. He said that people experiencing homelessness will often set up camp and then disappear.
The homeowner and his neighbors can’t understand why no one has come out to address their concerns, despite numerous attempts to contact city, county, and state officials. So, they reached out to Arizona’s Family for help.
“It would be nice if they just moved it and cleaned it or secured it or something,” said Ligidakis.
Arizona’s Family did some research and found that the property in and around the wash used to be privately owned, but was recently acquired by the state of Arizona. Maricopa County is currently acting on behalf of the state to sell this parcel of land.
The cleanup is expected to start the first week of September, something Ligidakis and his neighbors insist should have happened a long time ago.
“If any property looked like that, the state would be all over me,” said Ligidakis. “The city would be all over me, and should be held to the same standard. They should have to clean their properties just like they force us to do.”
The City of Phoenix released this statement:
The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department is going to clean the area to address the community’s concerns. Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) outreach staff visited the property yesterday and did not find anyone experiencing homelessness in the area. OHS has not received any reports of concerns surrounding homelessness there since 2024. The City encourages residents to report concerns about encampments to PHX C.A.R.E.S. online or by calling: 602-262-6251 Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The City and its partners will work together to ensure the area is maintained until the land is sold. For information on property ownership, you can contact Maricopa County.
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