Pensacola, Florida residents concerned as 'squatters' wreak havoc in neighborhood

Residents of Le Jeune Drive in Pensacola, Florida's Eau Claire neighborhood have expressed their concern as a group of "squatters," many of whom are vagrants, continue to wreak havoc on the area.

While many have called on authorities to force them off two otherwise vacant properties, the situation is not as clearcut as it may seem.

According to ABC3, officials responsible for enforcing the city code have told residents that their hands are tied as the people in the homes do not fall under the technical definition of squatter, given the fact that they did not move in illegally. It turns out the owners of the properties actually allowed them to live there.

Since then, however, the owner of one has passed away and the owner of the other has moved into an assisted living facility, meaning both no longer occupy their properties. As a result, there is no legal basis to kick out those who residents say are squatting there.

Nonetheless, residents have complained that the situation has gotten to a point where something must be done.

"All of a sudden, there's a homeless person just in their backyard leaned up against the shed smoking a cigarette," one resident said, describing a recent situation her neighbor experienced. "It's just ridiculous."

"They go in and out of our gates to our backyards and you don't know, and the next thing you know your dog is running through the street," she continued. "They are just invading us."

There have been reports of trash piling up on the streets, people using trees as bathrooms, and other less-than-desirable behaviors being exhibited.

As the Daily Mail reports, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office has been called to the neighborhood around 70 times, but nothing has changed. City officials have taken note, however, and are looking into possible solutions.

Escambia County has faced mounting homelessness in recent months, with residents all over the area complaining about the problem making its way to their neighborhoods.