Call 4 Action: Roach infestation at slum property has neighbors fuming

LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Flying roof shingles from above and a disgusting roach infestation from down below.

Neighbors of a slumlord in Lackawanna contacted Call 4 Action on both problems -- looking for help.

Several residents reached out to News 4 looking for change and looking for the City of Lackawanna to get involved more so here on Nelson Place with a slumlord who has been owning this home here.

The problem is two-fold with shingles flying off of the roof when the wind picks up, there is also a big roach infestation here as well that residents nearby are disgusted with. Residents say they're not even able to allow their children to come outside.

This is a quiet neighborhood with a food pantry nearby as well.

Residents said they want to see the owner of this home be held accountable, something they don't feel is happening.

"When code enforcement was here I was told that there was cockroaches crawling on the ceiling amongst probably everyone else in the house and that they can do about it, I don't know maybe the people should be taken out of the home so it can be properly fumigated," said Jim Krypel, a nearby resident.

News 4 has reached out to the City of Lackawanna to get some answers. A spokesperson for the city says that citations they are being delivered Thursday and that there was a visit that was done Wednesday. New violations are being written up. The owner, listed as Alia Adina Properties, LLC has 30 days to fix the damage on top with the roof and the city says it'll monitor the work being done here.

There have been times in which an exterminator has come on site to take care of that roach infestation, but clearly it has not been resolved. Residents say they are looking for the city to take this matter to court and hopefully have a judge hold the owner of this home accountable.