Property Owners Hit With Citations Before Full Ownership

EAST ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– Some East St. Louis property owners are upset because they were cited for code violations on property they don`t have full ownership of.

According to residents, at least 100 people showed up at city hall Wednesday morning because they were given citations.

Schnell Carraway says she`s upset because she just bought an  East St. Louis  property  at a St. Clair County Auction on October  24^th and she got two citations to appear at city hall.

But here`s the problem, Carraway says she hasn`t even taken full ownership.

Officials say the citations are to kick start efforts to improve the city.

Of the 620 properties sold at the St. Clair County Auction more than 50 percent sit in East St. Louis.

Out of the 100 people who showed up Wednesday, only 1 person was fined.