Bank Evicts Mother in Worcester

Friday, July 06, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

A single mother of two was evicted from her home despite the protests of anti-foreclosure groups. Movers removed White's belongings under police oversight while those who rallied to keep her in her home saw their first loss in the foreclosure fight.

Resident, Tracy White, formerly of Saint Nicholas Ave. in Worcester, stayed inside her home as protestors chanted for her cause. Worcester police and the protestors disagreed on the fairness and timeliness of the issue. Protestors said that due to the recent holiday, White was not given the proper amount of time to react to the notice. Police said otherwise.

“We’re here because of Tracy. She’s inside, and she’s not leaving. We’re here to support her and stop this eviction,” said Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team (WAFT) supporter and local activist, Martha Assefa. “She’s more than happy to pay rent. She’s a single mom with two kids, and otherwise, this is just going to become an empty building. They gave her three days’ notice, but one was the Fourth of July.”

On Holiday

Supporters on the scene said that White applied for an appeal but never got a response.

“She got screwed over because of the holiday. From Tuesday afternoon on… She’s been fighting this since December, so in some ways six months is still a victory,” Assefa said.

“This is bad for a lot of reasons. Usually they have some idea that they will have to move,” said Grace Ross GoLocal MINDSETTER™ who was on the scene, mediating between the group and police officers. “Usually you know a few weeks in advance. Often lawyers from the banks aren’t this nice, but now it’s the banks that are unreachable.”

As two police officers and Sergeant Christopher George arrived to discuss matters with the constable on scene, Ross lamented the usual foreclosure process and lack of accountability from banks. She says they need to show up and be reachable.

“Everyone took a break for the holiday, and it would have been nice if the constables had too,” she said. “Here were are all over again and no one has any authority.”

Rejoicing Neighbors

One WPD officer on the scene made a comment that, “The neighbors are rejoicing.”

Christeen Friend, supporter and resident who has suffered from a foreclosure in the past said that the officers said they had been there several times, but due to neighbors.

“She has kids and this is a mostly retired neighborhood,” she said.

“We have given her two 48 hour notices. This belongs to the bank. I understand what you’re doing, but the bank now owns it, and we have to enforce that,” one officer said. “We don’t want to arrest anyone, and nobody wants to go to jail over this. We don’t want to see anyone lose their house.”

First Time Loss

Chris Horton with the Worcester Unemployment Action Group said that while they have been successful in the past, they have always had the proper legal papers to show officers when they arrived on the scene. Because White had not received notice in time, they said, the papers were not prepared.

As the constable and movers went to the front door of the house, the group of protestors began chanting “Shame on you.” Ross said that usually the person being evicted is allowed to remain in the house while their belongings are moved.

Usually Successful

Dexter Rowe of Bolio and Sargent movers said that his company sees this type of reaction about once a month.

“We’re here to do our job. Unfortunately, foreclosures do happen. Unfortunately we’re the ones to do it. It’s our job,” Rowe said. “Usually people are already gone, but occasionally this happens. Usually these groups are pretty successful and they are given a state of excuse.”

Christeen Friend said that the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team is hoping to collaborate with local law enforcement to train how to deal with foreclosures, since the issue happens too frequently. She highlighted the importance of everyone involved knowing their rights.

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