San Bernardino residents in dispute with city over property damage from terror attack
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Residents are angry in an ongoing dispute over who should pay for property damaged in the gunfight between police and the terrorists in the San Bernardino terror attacks.
The damage from a bullet that hit Ruth Landeros' home is still visible. A broken fragment stuck between the double-pane glass is a reminder of what could have happened.
On Dec. 2, Landeros was at work, but her mother and sister huddled inside their home as a gun battle erupted between police and terror couple Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik.
When it was all over, neighbors emerged from their homes to find some of those bullets had hit their homes and vehicles.
Landeros said she was encouraged to file a claim with the city for damages.
"Not even seven days later, seven calendar days, I got a denial, which tells me they didn't even look at it," she said.
She wasn't the only one. Isabella Serrano's claim was also denied. Her bullet-riddled truck has not moved from the driveway since the shooting.
Eyewitness News spoke to city attorney Gary Saenz, who said while he is sympathetic, the city is not responsible for damages since officers did not act negligently.
"I applaud the officers for doing it so quickly," Landeros added. "They stopped the situation, it was a horrible situation."
Landeros, however, doesn't think she or neighbors should have to pay the bill for damages.
She's looking at $650 to repair her window, while her neighbor is out several thousand dollars. In addition, her truck is a total loss.
"It was upsetting because, you know, here I am working and trying to make ends meet, and they're not even willing to pay it," she said.
Some neighbors said their insurance picked up the tab on some of the damages but do plan to submit the bills to the city.
In the meantime, city officials said the San Bernardino United Relief Fund may be able to provide reimbursements for those residents since they were also impacted by the terror attack.
