According to CBSNews, an alarming video went viral with the residents of Harvey Illinois boarded up in their apartments as workers tried to condemn the buildings.
Most units were unoccupied, but one had a mother and her two kids. The community broke down boards at the apartment complex, searching for people who might be trapped inside. "I hadn't heard them breaking them off," Rudolph Williams, who was boarded up.
Rudolph's nephew showed videos capturing the construction crew ignoring the pleas to take it down.
Harvey police advised that the city warned building owners of safety concerns, including a collapsed stairwell, since October. No evictions occurred before the property was boarded up. Property owners took action while police conducted wellness checks.
Resident Mary Brooks received a notice in October, but she, with others stayed in their homes passed that date."This should never happen, and this should never happen again," Brooks said.