Story Created:
Aug 16, 2008 at 9:32 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 16, 2008 at 10:18 PM CST
People in one Sioux Falls neighborhood have a daily reminder of the meth involvement that happened on their block. It's right outside their windows.
We went back and talked to neighbors around a home where a meth lab was found more than a year ago. The drugs are now gone, but the effects still linger.
In April of last year drug investigators were called to this central Sioux Falls neighborhood after a utility worker checking out the house, smelled something that didn't seem right and notified police. Agents pulled apart what they called an extensive lab. More than a year later it's still vacant. Wade Lunders lives nearby. "It's a good feeling having a neighborhood that's cleaned up now. It would be nice to see a healthy family in the house."
Neighbor Diana Brown is concerned about what will happen next. "You kind of wonder what's going to happen. Is the house going to sell cheep and be with the wrong people and yeah. The house is sitting empty and going down."
Brian Deneui was convicted of making meth in the house and is now in prison. And the sticker warning what was inside here is still on the window.
Law enforcement says the good news is they're finding fewer meth labs now than they used to. They say it's because of tighter restrictions on pseudoephedrine, one of the chemicals used in meth making. And there's another reason according to Minnehaha County Deputy Sheriff Elliott Crayne. "The publics getting informed now and they're helping us a lot now with these meth labs."
Back in the neighborhood, those living near the still vacant house say they just want to put this chapter behind them. Wayne says simply, "I'd like to see the house with a good healthy family in it."
One thing some of the neighbors told us is they'd like to see more regulations on what has to be done with properties after a meth lab is discovered inside.
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