City works to demolish vacant buildings to make communities safer

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Chicago is taking steps to make parts of the city safer by tearing down vacant buildings.

People who live in some of the worst areas hit by high crime say the abandoned buildings attract gangs and drugs. 

Tuesday, the Chicago Police Department and the city's Department of Buildings are expected to announce the fast-track demolition of vacant buildings in an effort to make Chicago communities safer. Officials say the plan uses numerous tools to fight crime and stop gangs from using these vacant buildings as centers for illegal activity. 

In addition to the demolition of the vacant buildings in high crime areas, officials say they will also close businesses that were the site of shootings and murders, conduct a series of targeted raids in problem areas, seize guns, cash and drugs, and implement an initiative to  stabilize neighborhoods.