blob:https://www.nbcnewyork.com/0d293faa-cef4-446c-af87-dd3e0d6bafd2
I-Team: Battle Brewing Over Illegal and Dangerous Building Conversions in Rockland County
An investigation paralleling I-Team coverage found slumlords with illegal subdivisions and “rooming houses” are repeatedly failing local building codes and laws
By Sarah Wallace
A new battle is brewing in Rockland County amid accusations of overdevelopment and illegal conversions.
Months ago, State Senator James Skoufis, who represents part of Rockland, launched an investigation into building code enforcement. His investigation parallels continuing coverage by the I-Team.
“We’re finding illegal subdivisions where walls appear where they should not be. We’re finding illegal rooming houses where slumlords are renting to vulnerable Spanish-speaking immigrants,” Skoufis said.
The I-Team submitted Freedom of Information requests for nearly two dozen properties in the town of Ramapo and the Village of Spring Valley. The locations were identified by members of the county’s illegal housing task force and building insiders as being persistent offenders for failing to follow local building laws and codes.
Exploding Controversy Over NY County Illegal Housing Battle
![[NY] Exploding Controversy Over NY County Illegal Housing Battle](https://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/620*349/Exploding_Controversy_Over_Illegal_Housing_Battle_in_NY.jpg)
Many of the files in Spring Valley were incomplete or missing, according to Gordon Wren, the retired Director of Fire and Emergency Services, and a former Ramapo building inspector.
“Slumlords are doing whatever they want. It’s out of control,” Wren said. He added, “Firefighting is dangerous under any conditions. Then when you have these illegal conversions, it’s extremely dangerous.”
“It’s the wild west, and getting wilder,” said Justin Schwartz, chairman of the task force. “The bad guys are doing whatever they want with impunity.”
The I-Team obtained recent photos taken by a fire inspector at a private home in Monsey. The inspector noted an “obviously illegal yeshiva dormitory operating in basement with up to 6 beds per 4 overcrowded rooms, insufficient or blocked rescue and escape openings, missing smoke alarms, no CO alarms, and open/dangerous electric.”
The owner refused to comment on the photos the I-Team wanted to show her. A town spokesman said the violations have been cleared.
Critics say that property illustrates a systemic pattern of failure to enforce building code laws.
LOSTMESSIAH 
Prices are going up. Unemployment is continue to go up. And we have not had the necessary correction for the financial bubble created by our Federal Reserve system. — Ron Paul
LikeLike
Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellous job! fbcfcfggckec
LikeLike
A big thank you for your article.Thanks Again. Great. dcfecdcckbke
LikeLike
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Ie. eekfaegebdfe
LikeLike
It will probably take a major fire in one of these slum properties, a 21st century version of the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory fire of 1911, before the politicians start to enforce the law.
LikeLike
Even that would not work. The measles is supposedly being transmitted to children of families who have members who speak during shul services. And this story is believed among the “most faithful” within the community.
LikeLike
Lost Messiah – maybe LoHUD could give you a weekly forum? Lord know’s they can’t survive on Pizza surveys forever.
LikeLike
LOHUD plays it safe. They would not even cover the lawsuit. They are afraid. They get significant money from Agudah Israel and if we are not mistaken, one of Agudah’s founding fathers’ family members is a writer for LOHUD in Rockland. LOHUD is, as it would appear, about the money.
LikeLike
Do inspectors have the authority to immediately padlock an unsafe occupancy? The only way to really get on this is to have Rockland County take over inspections, review each property against the tax rolls and dis-allow hiding behind LLC’s. I suspect some well implemented big data type searches could turn up a lot.
LikeLike
We are not sure the right to padlock a property exists. But some of the most unsafe properties could be condemned.
LikeLike
There is no reason to have these houses brought up to
code, that is make them safe for the tenants.
So if a tragedy occurs they can get other tenants.
Its all about the money to these slumlords, life means nothing to them.
Government officials do your job and clean up this mess for
the number 1 priority of the Government is to protect the people.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT.PROTECT THE PEOPLE.
LikeLike
They are protecting the people, those who donate significantly to their political campaigns. If you look at the amount of money donated by real estate titans or their law firms to political campaigns and the areas in NY or around the country where that money is donated, it tells a very clear story. New York is run by money, not compassion, responsibility or the desire to help; but by greed, plain and simple.
LikeLike
The honest living GOD FEARING PEOPLE need to hold demonstrations at the law firms offices
real estate titans offices and the elected officials offices. Peace full demonstrations.
They need to be exposed for what they are. Blood sucking leaches.
Public ridicule against these so called community leaders is the way to defeat them
and there money in other words put them up in lights and let everyone see what they really are.
LikeLike
That would be the ideal. But there needs to be a strong following. And, as it stands, money speaks.
LikeLike
The people have to stand up for them selves, once they do the money means nothing.
None of these community leaders can live with public ridicule.
The people need to organize and start the demonstrations. Exposing them for
what they are is the only way to stop these vultures.
This also goes for the low life child molesters.
LikeLike
You are right. But it also means getting out to vote. The ultra-Orthodox community has a nearly 100% voting record and there are some who vote in Brooklyn and in Rockland, NY. The people need to vote, take a stand through the voting process. Pay attention to which politicians are taking money from whom. It has to be a concerted and organized approach.
LikeLike
Shocking.
LikeLike