Teens Using Vacant Houses for Wild Parties: Cops

Deputies sending out letter to stop the parties from getting out of hand

Sheriff's deputies in Encinitas are reaching out to parents to bring an end to an emerging trend among teens in the area.

On several occasions, deputies have come across the aftermaths of wild parties held in abandoned houses.

One house in Rancho Sante Fe was littered with vodka handles and pill bottles. A giant hole was kicked into the drywall and there was a strong odor of marijuana in the house.

The home was a vacant 5-bedroom, 7-bathroom, 9600-square-foot $5 million home on Avenida Alondra.

Steve and Lynne Heidel have lived in the house next door for more than 30 years and say this home was vacant for several years.

"I don't quite understand the point of it and I don't understand kinds who think they can do this. It's very disappointing from that perspective," Lynne said.

Deputies are on high alert for these parties with Prom and grad night just around the corner. Word of the parties has spread through social media.

Another illegal party happened at a home on La Jacaranda in the same area. The Realtor said the place was trashed, and it reeked of alcohol and vomit.

Deputies identified students from La Costa Canyon and Torrey Pines High Schools at the party.One student told her school paper that the party was like nothing she had ever seen before and even had middle school students in attendance.

The Encinitas Sheriff's Department sent a letter to area high schools asking for students and parents to alert them to the parties.

"The largest concern is the safety of not only the kids, but the community," said Lt. Kelly Martinez with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "And then the property, damage to the property, the vandalism, burglary and other issues that are occurring there."

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