Chicago moves to demolish vacant buildings

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A house was demolished on Friday as part of Chicago's effort to stop crimes in vacant buildings.

Forty-five buildings have been torn down since the program was announced last month.

The program aims to not only reduce crime but will also eliminate unsafe buildings.

Ald. Toni Foulkes (16th Ward) said residents across the city must play a role in keeping communities safe, especially ones plagued with abandoned buildings.

"You must call," Foulkes said. "When you have an abandoned building, an eyesore, criminal activity that's happening, you have to let us know."

The buildings torn down as part of this program must be located on blocks with high crime rates, be in poor condition and have an absentee owner.