House teardown in King Lake an issue of public safety

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A community in western Douglas County hit hard by the flood in 2019 still has eyesores six years later.

Those are also dangerous places for deputies who are sent to investigate suspicious activity.

But a sheriff’s captain is leading the charge in improving both safety and reputation in King Lake.

Some King Lake residents rescued in the flood chose not to return, leaving abandoned homes concealed by overgrowth.

“Places like these attract unwanted attention. It attracts homeless people, it attracts a criminal element,” said Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Kris Peterson.

Bodycam video shows that in the last six weeks, mainly at night, deputies have responded 10 times to King Lake on calls that include suspicious activity, disturbances, a fight with a gun, and assault.

Beyond the tall weeds is an abandoned house, and recently, deputies were here looking for a suspect. And Peterson said deputies must be cautious of more than just a dangerous suspect.

“You never know when a ceiling is going to cave in on you,” said Peterson.

But five of the abandoned houses are getting torn down with the property being cleared of junk and overgrowth.

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is paying for three demolitions, and the City of Omaha is paying for two demolitions, with many more on a list.

“45-50 that need to be condemned and torn down,” Peterson said.

A King Lake resident who asked not to be identified is encouraged by the eyesore clearing.

“We don’t want the focus to be on the bad reputation, because things have shifted. They have changed, they are getting better. We are making a positive impact on the community,” they said.

The abandoned places being torn down and debris hauled away make way for future green space, which sends a message.

”Even the criminal element... can’t hide forever, so they want to go someplace else because they know we’re out here and tearing stuff down for the better," Peterson said.

King Lake has many good citizens proud to maintain their homes and property, while efforts are underway to improve the community and its reputation.

“Not all bad apples,” the resident said.

The Papio NRD paid a private contractor $50,000 for clearing three abandoned properties. Up to 99% of the cost was paid with federal funds.

The City of Omaha recently awarded bids for the demolition of two other unlivable houses in King Lake.