There are homes in neighborhoods that are foreclosed and you can’t find out which banks own them. Yet you see Realtors showing the property.

The DeKalb tax commissioner’s site lists the last owner, and that information remains until the property is sold. In the meantime, the foreclosed property is owned by the bank and is not maintained.

It is imperative that banks maintain properties going through foreclosure, even before the banks take ownership, and then bill the lender if the properties remain unkempt.

Troubled borrowers need some help. How about a 90-day foreclosure notice and a mandatory settlement conference extended to all troubled borrowers? Why have we not publicized that there are free services available through the state?

Actually, the victims of foreclosure include those who had nothing to do with it. They are homeowners who see property values to go down anywhere from $7,500 to $10,000 per foreclosed home, and needless to say crime goes up in areas where foreclosures are up.

DeKalb County needs to address this situation by developing a comprehensive strategy to seek to protect neighborhoods from the negative impact of foreclosed homes.

I would begin with maintaining an up-to-date list of foreclosed homes and include a current list of vacancies available in police squad cars and at roll call as part of the strategy for community-oriented policing projects.

A. Jean Richardson lives in Decatur.