Rat-Infested Deer Park 'Eyesore' Demolished, Town Officials Say

DEER PARK, NY — A Deer Park home was demolished Monday, months after a search warrant was executed in May because of town code violations.

There was a lack of property maintenance and a rat infestation at the Dahlia Lane home, the Town of Babylon said.

Photos on Facebook showed the home had a boarded up door, broken fence and overgrown bushes.

The town said all demolition costs were billed to the property and will become a lien on the property tax bill, meaning other residents won't be on the hook.

The investigation into the home stemmed from neighbor complaints called into citizen services over the condition of the property, as well as rodent infestation that affected nearby residents, according to Town of Babylon spokesman Ryan Bonner.

In April 2022, concerns regarding the property were forwarded to the Town's task force by members of the TOB Animal Shelter, Bonner said. One dog residing at the location had been labeled a “dangerous dog”, and the owners had been unresponsive to calls from the shelter. Due to the condition of the house, there was additional concern for the safety of the humans, and animals residing at the location.

The property owners received summonses prior to the May 10 warrant being issued for exterior disrepair, litter and debris on the property, an unregistered motor vehicle without plate and interior disrepair, the spokesman added.

The purpose of the demolition was to preserve the quality of life for the neighbors of the property owner and to rid the neighborhood of a problematic, unsafe structure that could have a severe impact on nearby property values, according to the Town of Babylon.

On Facebook, some residents pondered why the town didn’t fix the property, while others were happy that the “eyesore” was gone, and another hoped to annex the property to his own.

"I think everyone would like to see the property improved and passed on as a good cause," resident Josie Martin told Patch.

Martin hopes the property is fixed up by Habitat for Humanity, which is known for fixing homes for struggling homeowners and building affordable homes.

"In fact it is a pretty typical scenario and I’m actually surprised that [the Town of Babylon] has not already coordinated it," Martin added.

Tiffany Chavis, a resident who is not familiar with the property, told Patch that she wants more affordable housing in Babylon.

"This entire township of Babylon needs more affordable housing," Chavis said. "It's not fair that people young and old can't afford to live here anymore!"

Iam not familiar with the property that was demolished or the area. This entire township of Babylon needs more affordable housing. It's not fair that people young and old can't afford to live here anymore!

Babylon Councilman Terrence McSweeney, chair of the Town's Department of Public Safety told Patch in an email there are no plans for the property, but there is hope that a responsible property owner comes and builds something nice.

"We will not stand for people like this terrorizing our neighborhoods and neither will our taxpayers," McSweeney said, regarding the property owner. "If you have something like this going on in your neighborhood, do not hesitate to reach out to us and let us know."