(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Residents of two apartment buildings in south suburban Harvey said board-up crews trapped some of them inside their units.
Videos posted to social media showed crews boarding up apartment buildings near East 145th and South Halsted Streets.
Rudolph Williams told CBS 2 he didn’t realize that crews were breaking off the handles to his door — and trapping him inside — Friday afternoon.
“I'm used to the noise when they're doing some construction, so I just figured they've been going around putting up the boards and everything,” he said. “So I didn't really pay that much attention after a while, and I sort of drowned it out.”
The City of Harvey said it was not their crew that boarded up the buildings, but one hired by the owners.
In December 2023, the Harvey Building Department determined there was an imminent safety risk at the buildings, based on an investigation that began in October and found extensive deterioration of balconies and stair risers.
Another resident, Aces Price, said she had to push her kids out of the window in order to get out of their ground-floor unit.
Harvey officials said the City will continue to monitor and address the situation at the apartment buildings.
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