Dozens Of Drug Houses Face Demolition

Some North Texas neighborhoods are getting a facelift thanks to the Texas National Guard.

The guard will be tearing down hundreds of vacant and run-down drug houses as part of Operation Crackdown.

The vacant homes often become a breeding ground for crime, said Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, who has fought to bring Operation Crackdown to Dallas for more than a year.

Jonathon Wilson, a homeowner hear a boarded up vacant home set to be torn down, said the program is a good idea.

"Right now, it's just an eyesore, frankly. They're abandoned. It's not being used, so, in a sense, it would kind of be good to tear it down," Wilson said. He hopes something that is beneficial for the community will be built on the soon to be empty lot.

Thirty-one homes and 18 sheds and garage buildings will be demolished free of charge by the Texas National Guard.

"They can come in and knock down 30 to 40 in a matter of 10 days where it is taking 2 to 3 years for the city to go through the process," Caraway said.

The Texas National Guard funds the program with money from drug seizures. The mass demolition, in turn, saves the city of Dallas the cost of demolishing the home and gives National Guard soldiers valuable training.

Caraway said it's the start of transformation for neighborhoods.

"We simply come in and knock the house down and make it vacant lot. Then that provides and opportunity for new housing," said Carway.

Demolition will start Dec. 6.

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