ABC 40 KRHD-TV - Bryan/College Station News and Weather | Operation Crackdown demolishing over 30 homes in Calvert

ROBERTSON COUNTY- About 30 houses are expected to be demolished in Robertson County by the end of February.

The Texas and Army National Guard has helped 23 Texas cities tear down abandoned buildings attractive to drug activity. Now, they will be helping the city of Calvert.

Carolyen Rosemond was born in Calvert and is looking forward to a new and improved city with less vacant homes.

"It will stop the fires, people going in and smoking using illegal drugs in these vacant buildings."Rosemond said, "And that's the purpose to prevent negative things like that."

52 vacant homes are on the list to be demolished, but only 25 of the owners have agreed to the operation so far.

Robertson County Judge Jan Roe said, "It's not a home, it's a structure that is not habitable. That's the only reason it's being considered. It's strictly for drug use."

In the city that consists of just over 1,000 people Calvert Police Chief Nancy Juvrud says they feel lucky to get this type of help from the National Guard.

"It's going to make a great impact they've been to other places like Dallas and Brownsville." Chief Juvrud said, "And so this is good for Calvert."

The National Guard has demolished over 1200 abandoned homes, tearing them down by using drug money seized by the government.

"I think it's priceless that we are taking this money from the drug dealers that was seized and see their profit now coming back to help us," Chief Juvrud said.

 Rosemond says she can't wait to see most of what are now eyesores in the  community turn into new neighbors.

"There are people that want to purchase the property, but they can't afford to purchase the property and get someone to clean it up." Rosemond said, "So their just really excited about that."

"Its going to give everyone more pride, cleaner and safer neighborhood," Chief Juvrud said.

The National Guard is expected to come to Calvert at the end of February to demolish as many homes that have agreed to the operation.