Taylorsville neighbors worry about toxic home

Reported by: Robert Walz
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC 4 News) Neighbors of a toxic home in Taylorsville think it's becoming a safety problem for their children and want it cleaned up right away, but heath officials and local police said they can not do much until the homeowner comes up with the money.
Police raided the home at 1335 Olive Street six weeks ago and arrested several people on drug possession, theft and immigration charges. Shortly after that, the Valley Health Department determined the home was contaminated with hazardous chemicals.
Palen Cornell is like most moms in Taylorsville; she worries about her daughter's safety. So when she saw the chemical hazard signs posted on a nearby home she became concerned. "There are several children that walk past that house every day on their way to the bus stop and walk home right next to that house."
The Valley Health Department put up the signs and closed up the house on November 8, 2011 and said it is a crime for anyone to enter the home. But on Monday when Cornell drove by she said the door to the home was wide open.
"I am not happy with the possibility of my child being able to get into that house on her way to the bus stop."
Taylorsville police came by and closed the door, but they also worry about the health threat and don't want to expose their officers to the harmful chemicals, not even to go in and turn off a light.
It cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to properly clean up a house contaminated with chemicals or drugs. Valley Health officials said the homeowner must come up with that money and then obtain a permit to safety do the job. So far they said the homeowner hasn't made the first move leaving the home vacant, contaminated and sometimes accessible. "If we are being exposed to this I want something done. It’s ridiculous that nothing has been done, “ Cornell said.
Taylorsville police told ABC 4 News that a man named Jack Cox owns this home but we could not locate Mr. Cox to get his side of the story. The police said they plan to do their best to make sure the door remains closed, but said for the most part parents will have to police their children until this toxic house gets cleaned up.