Neighbors organized before officers moved in
Longtime residents on Matlock Street in Mesa say their neighborhood was destabilized after a vacant house became a magnet for squatters and suspected drug activity. The situation escalated over weeks as neighbors reported persistent visitors at all hours, strong odors and drug paraphernalia left around the property.
When routine calls and concerns failed to resolve the problem, neighbors — led by residents such as Crystal Price and Dan Shumway — turned to civic action. They circulated a petition, made their case at a Mesa City Council meeting in early June and kept watch on the property while city staff and police assessed options.
Police execute warrant, one arrest made
On July 2, Mesa police arrived with a SWAT team and executed a search warrant at the Matlock Street residence. Officers arrested 54-year-old Jason May, who investigators say admitted to possessing several grams of methamphetamine inside the home. May faces three felony charges connected to the incident. The department boarded up the doors and windows to keep other squatters from moving in.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | Matlock Street, Mesa |
| Arrest date | July 2 |
| Suspect | Jason May, 54 |
| Alleged offense | Possession of several grams of methamphetamine; three felony charges |
Community response and next steps
Neighbors say the property has been a source of ongoing fear and disruption. "I didn’t think anything could happen after the small efforts we’ve made," one resident told reporters after the arrest, reflecting a mix of relief and lingering concern. Others urged the city to consider demolition or rehabilitation to prevent a repeat.
“It needs to be torn down. It’s that bad.”
- Residents organized a petition and appealed to the Mesa City Council in early June.
- Police used a search warrant and a SWAT team to carry out the July 2 operation.
- The home is now boarded up to keep additional squatters out while legal actions proceed.
For many Mesa neighborhoods, vacancy-related crime and squatting have become a recurring challenge tied to broader housing and public-safety issues across the Valley. The Matlock Street case highlights how neighborhood organizing can prompt municipal action when standard enforcement options are limited. Neighbors hope the city will move quickly on securing or repurposing the property — either through rehabilitation for new tenants or demolition — to restore safety and stability to the block.
The arrested man faces the pending felony charges as the legal process moves forward. City officials and police did not release additional details about ongoing investigations or the timeline for the property's next steps.
