Some US city management offices have opted to close off certain neighborhoods within their jurisdiction due to health, fire and other risks that have been brewing within. Many abandoned, vacant and foreclosed homes that have been left to waste in the rash of foreclosures since last year have continued to rise falling victim to the economic crunch. Closing them off prevents kids and other people from getting exposed from the wrecked homes, some of which have fallen in disarray crumbling to dust as they remain unoccupied. From fire hazards, safety issues and many more, they are easier to just cordon off till cash becomes available for the many city authorities to deal with them.
Crime is one of the main reasons for being vacant, they are often used by gangs and other criminals for safe havens and drug dens out of the streets and eyes of the authorities. With dwindling funds and manpower to effectively cover the many abandoned homes that are still growing by the thousands, closing them off offers a band-aid solution to a growing urban problem.